WA Over 40's - 2012 Match Reports

WA vs NSW - Sunday, October 7, 2012

After a few days of acclimatising to the Hobart weather and Cascade beers, the Over 40’s had their first game of the tournament against the defending Over 40 champions, NSW. 

Following a dodgy warm-up (thanks Mikey – coach Mike Starling), we managed to start the game at a good tempo and after constant pressure we were awarded a penalty corner around the 7 minute mark. Reverting to variation 1.7.4, Armo (Paul Armitage) trapped a mis-directed push out and slotted home the first goal. 

The constant pressure on the NSW defence saw them wilt, another short corner saw a rebound off the NSW goalie’s pads nicely knocked into the net by “newby” Macca (Craig McKenzie). 

The third goal did not take long, with Macca being set up by Ems (Craig Emslie) for an easy tap in. 

We continued to apply pressure in the first half, with more opportunities being created but unfortunately not converted. Half time score 3-0. 

The second half was more even, with another newby Fab (Fabrizio Crescenzi) dominating our defending 25. With Raikkinen (Andy Rahim) not letting in any goals in the first game of a Masters tournament for the first time in his long and decorated Masters career, we managed to secure a solid 3-0 win. 

The win came at a cost though, with the “ex” vice-captain Bundy (Al Coulthart) tearing a calf muscle. 

All in all a good start up performance, with Armo receiving the Man of the Match award. 

Result: WA n – NSW n 

Goal scorers: Paul Armitage, Craig McKenzie (2) 
Man of the Match: Paul Armitage 

WA vs VIC - Monday, October 8, 2012

Our second game was against the Vics, an unknown team as they had the bye in the first round and had 10 “newbys” listed in the programme. 

Again we started the game at a good pace, forcing a short corner in the first 15 seconds of the game which we were unable to convert. We sustained constant pressure on the Vic defence but could not manage to put the ball into the net. The Vics then started to get into the game, however we managed to force a short corner, and through variation 4.6.2, a direct push out to Macca (Craig McKenzie) on the left of the battery, saw him smash the ball into the back of the net. 

Within the next five minutes we were 2 nil up, with another “newby” Cakey (Michael Cake) bursting down the right hand side, passing to Ems (Craig Emslie), whose shot was saved “again”, but duly seagulled by Macca for an easy (screaming) tap in. 

Shortly after another of our newbys Hursty (David Hurst) was reminded how fickle the game of hockey is, with a blow to the groin region. A rookie mistake not getting that area taped!!!! 

Just before half time, another newby Fab (Fabrizio Crescenzi) decided the team required more beers on our day off, receiving the team’s first green card from a poor tackle. 

Half time we led 2-0. 

The second half saw the Vics start off strongly, with Fab, Armo (Paul Armitage) and another newby Youlds (Paul Youlden) making some timely tackles at the back. Then another newby, our German import (Andreas Manopas), felt sorry for Fab and received our second green card of the tournament (more beers)!!! 

We started to get back into the game, and forced another short corner. Going back to the basics, that is variation 1.1.1, the push out went straight to the battery, and our wonderful coach Mikey (Mike Starling), with his first shot being blocked, then picking up the rebound and ‘roofing’ it into the top of the net. 

Shortly after Ems joined the green card club (more beers) after pushing the ball away. 

Then with 6 minutes to go, our German import decided he wasn’t happy with just receiving a green card and was given a yellow card for tackling within 5 yards of a free hit against him. More beers!!! 

Finally, with just over 2 minutes to go, the Vics received a penalty stroke (poor tackle Armo). Then goalkeeper Rakkinon (Andy Rahim) saved his first penalty stroke since attending the Championships with a diving stick save. What a legend, just ask him!!!! Another clean sheet. 

Man of the Match award went to Fab with no serious injuries to report. 

All in all another solid performance, but the boys can’t rest on their laurels, with our 2 hardest games still to come. 

Result: WA 3 – VIC 0 

Goal scorers: Craig McKenzie (2), Mike Starling 
Man of the match: Fabrizio Crescenzi 
Cards: Yellow – Andreas Manopas. Green – Fabrizio Crescenzi, Andreas Manopas

WA vs TAS - Thursday, October 11, 2012

After a two day break, our third game was against the locals, Tasmania. Tasmania needed to win to make the final, whereas a win to us would also ensure a final spot. 

Again we started the game at a good pace, and within the first 15 minutes we were 2-0 up. Suckma (Alan Dick) scoring the first, converting short corner variation 3.1.3. The second through Bridgey (Nathan Bridge), both players scoring their first goals of the tournament. Bridgey celebrating through a double fist pump salute!!! 

Tasmania had created a few chances but were unable to convert with Raikkonen (Andy Rahim) making three quality saves, so he tells me (spot my roomy)!!! 

The defining moment of the game came after those two goals, with Tasmania reduced to 10 players for the rest of the game after one of their players received a red card after deciding to shove Fab (Fabrizio Crescenzi) in the back right in front of the umpire. 

Just before half time, we scored a third through Cakey (Michael Cake) and we received more beers, thanks to Macca (Craig McKenzie) and a green card. 

The second half saw us completely dominate, with midfielders Suckma, Stewey (Stewart McDonald) and Mikey (Mike Starling) receiving plenty of the ball. We created heaps of chances but only manage to score an additional two goals, welcoming Ems (Craig Emslie) finally onto the scoring sheet and Ant (Anton Brown) slotting in the final goal. 

Then with only 2 minutes to go Mikey joined the yellow card club (more beers) after deliberately stopping the ball with his foot, schoolboy error!!!! 

It was good to see Bundy (Al Coulthart) out playing again after a couple of days rest due to a calf injury. 

The 5-0 result saw us qualify for the final against Queensland with the final round of fixtures still to be completed. 

Our Man of the Match award went to Suckma with no serious injuries to report. 

Result: WA 5 – TAS 0 

Goal scorers: Alan Dick, Nathan Bridge, Michael Cake, Craig Emslie, Anton Brown 
Cards: Craig McKenzie (green), Michael Starling (yellow)

WA vs QLD - Friday, October 12, 2012

Our last game before the final, this was a dead rubber as both teams had already qualified for the gold medal game on Saturday. The pre-game news was not good with our leading goal scorer, no not Ems (Craig Emslie), but Macca (Craig McKenzie) ruled out of the match with an injury. 

Again we started the game at a good pace, this must be because Horrie (Adrian Rutter) and Bridgey (Nathan Bridge) starting all games on the bench!!! We were 1-0 in the first 10 minutes, a deflection goal scored by Ant (Anton Brown). 5 minutes later we were 2-0 up with Ant tapping in his second for the game. The defence then let in their first goal of the tournament with Queensland scoring a deflection goal to make it 2-1. We then knocked in another 2 goals with Ems scoring off a short corner variation and then Ant completing his hat-trick with a diving deflection goal. A late goal to Queensland saw the score 4-2 at half-time. 

The second half saw us “switch off”, with poor decision making, bad passing and costly turnovers. This resulted in Queensland scoring a goal early in the second half to make the score 4-3. 

Then with 10 minutes to go a dodgy umpiring decision saw Fab (Fabrizio Crescenzi) yellow carded for a supposedly deliberate foot inside our defending 25. The resulting short corner saw Queensland level the scores at 4-4. 

Then with 3 minutes to go Queensland managed to score a field goal and then hang on for a 5-4 victory. The result was insignificant but it would have been great to go through the tournament undefeated. Bring on the final!!! 

Our Man of the Match award went to Ant with Hurstie (David Hurst) out for the final with cracked ribs. 

Result: WA 4 – QLD 5 

Goal scorers: Anton Brown (3), Craig Emslie 
Cards: Fabrizio Crescenzi (yellow)

Final WA vs XXX - Saturday, October 13, 2012

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Result: WA n – XXX n 

Goal scorers: 
Cards: nil.