WA Over 60's - 2013 Match Reports
WA vs VIC - Monday, September 23, 2013
After much anticipation and weeks of training the 2013 Masters Championships is finally underway. WA kicked off their campaign in hot, still conditions and glorious sunshine against Victoria. Unfortunately for the opposition WA started in grand style scoring from a short corner after only a few minutes. WA's centre half Ray Norton's trap and strike was emphatic and set the tone for the rest of the game. From then on it was relentless pressure from WA as the team ran and passed with precision. After some great lead up work by Tommy Long, Ric Staynor one of the 7 new boys in the team scored his first goal in WA colours with a smash from the top of the circle which left the goalie stranded. Did I say it was relentless? well it was except for halfway through the first half when Victoria scored from a short corner with a mistimed shot which dribbled into the corner of the goal. Not to be outdone WA scored with a lovely deflection by Peter Aylmore on the right hand post with less than a second to go in the half. The second half continued in the same way with WA dominating the game. Ric Staynor scored 2 more goals and Peter Aylmore 1 more with again a mistimed shot which bounced over the prostrate goalie. For WA the work rate and endeavour from all 16 players was exceptional for this age group. The temperature, tempo and movement of the ball was too hot for Victoria to handle. The WA defence was solid with Johnny Harper in goal calling the shots. Coach Ian "Pesty" Pestano was glowing in his praise of the high strikers for their ability to find space and their work rate off the ball! He commented that the weeks of practise games and "torturous" training had paid off but added a note of caution that tougher games were still to come. For his 3 goals and 2 misses Ric Staynor was named man of the match. In a very even performance the best of the rest were Ian "Irish" Kealley, Ray Norton and Peter Aylmore.
Result: WA 6 – VIC 1
Goal scorers:Ric Staynor 3, Peter Aylmore 2, Ray Norton 1
Man of the Match: Ric Staynor
WA vs QLD - Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Played at 8:30 in the morning in ideal conditions WA made hard work of their game against Queensland. Queensland playing a close marking game kept the bulk of their players in defence. WA lacked sharpness and patience to cope with this strategy and therefore consistently turned the ball over. With the score 0-0 at half time coach "Pesty" and captain Johnny Chapman called for discipline and focus. Proving that the sportsmans brain is quite small both of these edicts were promptly forgotten and a steady stream of players visited the "naughty" chair. Most of the send offs were for minor infractions like "hip and shoulders" off the ball or stick hacks which may or may not have caught the Queenslanders top hand. Along the way "some" hockey was played with WA scoring firstly by Peter Komyshan finding space in the circle and clinically finishing and then through Tommy Long with a great deflection into the top of the net from a short corner. In both cases Greg Allen was prominent in the lead up work. This was remarkable considering the day before he had been seen sunbathing and doing the hula on a Hawaiin beach! Coach "Pesty" was pleased the team was still able to grind out a win and praised the defence for their composure. Both teams agreed that Peter "Morgs" Morgan was best on ground with his ball control creating havoc for both the Queensland defence and the WA attack. Others to have top games were Johnny Osta, Greg Allen, Johnny Chapman and Sir Charles Hulbert. Pesty added that the the first 2 games had been invaluable in providing game time for the whole squad and noted it was the most time he had seen "brownie" on a hockey field in 3 years.
Result: WA 2 – QLD 0
Goal scorers: Peter Komyshan 1, Tommy Long 1
Man of the match: Peter Morgan
Cards: Yellow – Greg Allen. Green – Dudley Evans, Peter Komyshan(2), Ray Norton
WA vs SA - Friday, September 27, 2013
With reinforcements from Tasmania the South Australians were expected to be stiff opposition for the WA over 60's. This turned out to be a very precise observation and so in a dour struggle WA out muscled the South Australian side to win by 3 goals to nil. After an hour long teamtalk in the morning about triangles, rocks and width there was great optimism that the problems of the universe had been solved and from here on in we would be on easy street. This turned out to be incorrect but luckily we have a great goalie in "Harps" who made the opposition forwards look old, feeble and inept. Conversely the WA forwards just looked old and feeble which was only a smokescreen as they had way too much skill and run for SA.
Under the Billy "Cougar" Campbell definition of a triangle (when asked he said "a straight line is still a triangle") numerous triangles were being displayed by the WA side. Under the more well known definition where a triangle has 3 sides there was a lot less triangles evident but enough for the WA midfield to control the game. Ray Norton, Peter Morgan and Johnny Chapman had triangles everywhere on the right hand side of the pitch. Displaying great teamwork and cohesion with each other they also combined with the defence and attack for more triangles. It was a lot more boring on the left hand side of the pitch with only a few triangles but with some bells and whistles thrown in. Tommy Long was nippy in attack and scored 2 goals, he would have had 3 but Johnny "seagull" Chapman jumped in to help the ball as it was about to cross the goal line.
Sir Charles Hulbert was adjudged man of the match. He was ably supported by Peter Komyshan, Tommy Long, Ian keally and Ian Sheppard.
Result: WA 3 - SA 0
Man of the match: Sir Charles Hulbert
Goal scorers:Tommy Long 2, Johnny Chapman
Cards: Green-Ray Norton
WA vs ACT - Sunday, September 29, 2013
Well managed by Ros Baker and in perfect conditions under lights at Cintra ground WA defeated ACT by 10 goals to nil! After much more talk about triangles, width and quicker ball to the high strikers it was highly unusual to see a plan actually working. After a scratchy first 5 minutes the plan kicked in and it was all action from there. The up tempo hockey demanded from coach "Pesty" paid dividends with Peter Aylmore, Ric Staynor and Peter Komyshan running riot up front. When they rested Greg Allen, Ian Sheppard, Ian "Evo" Evans and Sir Charles Hulbert kept up the assault. Big Johnny Osta had a great game in defence and along with midfield maestros Ray Norton, Johnny Chapman, Peter Morgan and "Pesty" they initiated countless raids on the ACT circle. With the score 5-0 at half time and proving there is more to managing a team than buying a few sox, organising team dinners, transport, hire cars and accommodation as well as being a social worker for old men Ros Baker produced a bag full of snakes which were passed around the troops. After already scoring 3 goals Peter "Hailmore", as he was now known, ate a few snakes and was now "amped to the max". Despite attempts to hold him back he scored another 2 goals in the 2nd half the last of which was a neat back hit through his own legs in the dying minutes of the game. Deservedly he was named man of the match by both sides and reminded that Corona was the drink of choice for his obligatory carton(s). Unfortunately Ric Staynor aggravated his Plantar Somethingorother and had to be subbed out during the game. During the post match refreshments most in the team agreed that With ice and an elevated pain threshold he should be back for the games ahead! Coach Pesty commented that the width and early passing had outclassed the opposition resulting in a very pleasing effort by all. He added that players ability to follow instructions was both surprising and a joy to behold.
Result: WA 10 - ACT 0
Man of the match: Peter Aylmore
Goal scorers: Peter Aylmore 5, Greg Allen 1, Peter Komyshan 3, Ian Sheppard
Cards: yellow-Ian Evans
WA vs WAC - Monday, September 30, 2013
As is usually the case WA Country fired up for their match against their city brothers. Spice was added with a few country boys now in the city team and vice versa. After an initial softening up period of about 20 minutes the second wave of substitutes produced the goods for City when Ian Sheppard scythed through the midfield and delivered a delicate back stick pass to Greg Allen who helped the ball on its way into the Country goal. After this brief bit of magic the contest was virtually over as Country stacked their defence and rarely got the ball out of their own half.
City proceeded to dominate the game and scored 2 "Pesty" shortcorners in the second half to run out 3-0 winners. This may sound good and it was but it came from at least 23 attempts but who's counting! Both of these goals came by shifting the ball off the line to goal and aiming at the open side of the goal, simple really! Another even level of endeavour from all players with Ian Pestana, Ian Sheppard, Ray Norton and Billy "Cougar" Campbell prominant.
After the game there wasn't much to say as it had all been said during the game, the players had a drink and went home safe in the knowledge they would finish 1st or 2nd and play in the finals.
Result: WA 3 - WAC 0
Man of the match: Ian Pestana
Goal scorers: Ian Pestana 2, Greg Allen 1
Cards:
WA vs NSW - Wednesday, October 2, 2013
In a giant reality check the WA over 60's were sent back to the drawing board after being totally outplayed by NSW and losing 5 goals to 2. After a beautiful hot day and the match being played in the shade and cool of the evening it was expected that WA would perform like crisp lettuce. And they did for the first 10 minutes. Unfortunately it was around this 10 minute mark the lettuce began to wilt. By the end of the game the lettuce was devoid of moisture, shrivelled and burnt. NSW had run them ragged. WA tried manfully and even led for a brief period in the first half after Peter Aylmore scored another goal giving him 8 for the tournament so far and the underperforming Dudley Evans finally scored a goal from a short corner which may possibly save him from the selectors axe!
WA lacked structure, cohesion and teamwork, all essential elements for a successful school team!! Another essential element missing was discipline with green cards to Ray Norton, Tommy Long and Peter Komyshan and a yellow card to Johnny Osta. This just added to the general disorganisation and discontent on the field. The triangles and rocks had gone out the window, the stucture had regressed, the general skill level was poor and the passing was usually to an opposition stick! The good news is WA are in the semi finals and will play Victoria for a place in the grand final. WA must regroup, refocus and rediscover what had led to their previous success. Mediocrity is not an option! Work rate, skill, organisation and endeavour must be found, but above all correct decisions must be made. The sportsmans brain no matter how small must be brought to the table! I could go on for hours but enough said, file it with all the other games you want to forget and redeem yourself!!
Result: WA 2 - NSW 5
Man of the match: Tommy Long
Goal scorers: Peter Aylmore 1, Dudley Evans 1
Cards: Green- Peter Komyshan, Ray Norton, Tommy Long, Yellow- Johnny Osta
Semi-Final WA vs Vic - Thursday, October 3, 2013
WA returned to the winners circle with a comfortable 5 nil win over Victoria in the first semifinal of the over 60's. After the initial softening up period WA began to assert their dominance. Peter Komyshan, Ian Keally, Ian Pestana and Johnny Osta had worked tirelessly to shut their Victorian counterparts out of the game.
Greg Allen was the first to score when standing on the "spot" he got the fright of his life when Ian "Evo" Evans flicked the ball straight at his chest. Displaying great dexterity whilst ducking for cover he flung his hands up to protect himself thus deflecting the ball with his stick into the goal. Was Evo aiming at him or the goal? Did Greg mean to deflect it into the net or was it a fluke? Who cares? It was 1 nil to WA and Greg and Evo could discuss it for hours and probably years later whilst the rest of us reiterate, "who cares"?
Displaying a lot more composure than their previous game WA were able to go in at half time up 1-0. They had wrested control of the midfield with Peter Morgan, Johnny Chapman, Ray Norton and Ian Evans outstanding.
After the break WA played some of their best hockey as Greg Allen, Ric Staynor and Dudley Evans scored after fast breaks from defence left the WA forwards to show their control, passing and finishing skills. Tommy Long, Ric Staynor, Greg Allen and Peter Aylmore were left to "strut their stuff" up front whilst Ian Pestana, Sir Charles Hulbert, Billy "Cougar" Campbell and Ian Keally controlled the back line. With performances like that goalie Johnny Harper could not be considered for man of the match honours as he hadn't done anything except shout instructions to the WA defense in order to make them play like that! Luckily no prize was at stake as this was considered an anomaly by some and was not considered by some at all!
Tommy Long was influential during this dominant second half, figuring in numerous raids and assisting most of the goals! Maybe he had mixed up his hemorrhoid cream with deep heat because he was on fire! In the dying minutes of the game Peter Aylmore scored another goal whilst on the right hand post pushing the ball into the net from a "million dollar pass" from an unknown source. Proving that he is not just a 1 dimensional hockey player scoring goals Peter Aylmore picked up a yellow card for a bit of "argy bargy " and some carefully chosen but inappropriate words. Playing close to the edge of the rules and his aerobic capacity Ian Keally also picked up a yellow card for being inside the 5m arc of the opposition player taking a free hit.
In discussions after every game ALL players who had been sent off bemoaned the umpire for getting it wrong! It would appear the sportsmans brain as well as being very small is also made of concrete! One casual observer remarked that it was the players responsibility to adapt to the various umpires interpretations and that tiredness and lack of awareness were not valid excuses. Coach "Pesty" was happy to win but lamented the teams continued lack of discipline and noted that any lack of discipline in the final could be disastrous.
For the third year in a row WA will hope to reverse previous results as they take on NSW in the final.
Result: WA 5 - Vic 0
Man of the match: Please be advised that at the time of going to press no man of the match had been officially announced. PS Peter Morgan played well.
Goal scorers: Greg Allen 2, Ric Staynor 1, Dudley Evans 1, Peter Aylmore 1.
Cards: Green- Peter Morgan, Ian Pestana, Yellow- Peter Aylmore, Ian Keally
Final WA vs NSW - Saturday, October 5, 2013
For the third year in a row WA played NSW in the final of the Over 60's. But this time it would be different, WA had a plan or should I say someone in WA had a plan. Unfortunately we didn't know this person so we went to another plan. This was called plan B or "Brownies" plan! This plan wouldn't work 100 years ago and it won't work in another 100 years time. But would it work today? The answer was NO and just to prove it NSW scored after just 2 minutes on the clock! A costly error in judgement, so there was a quick switch to plan C or was it D? Suddenly Plan G was in action and starting to work. Within the 10 minute mark WA had the ball in the back of the net only to have it disallowed by the non controlling umpire! He had seen something from 60 metres away while posing for photographs in the other half! After "strutting his stuff" the game restarted. Plan K was now operating smoothly and it was not long before things started to happen. What things? Hockey things, as WA forced a series of short corners. At halftime Billy "cougar" Campbell wanted to give his definition of a series but the lads declined. Finally a bit of luck for WA! Billy would not give his definition of a series until he had thought about it over a few beers! No that wasn't the bit of luck! At a short corner the shot at goal missing by 2 metres was neatly deflected into the goal by the ever alert injector, Evo. Its great when a plan actually works, its also great when you don't even know what the plan was and it still works. Does this mean it's better not to have a plan? Who knows? The Cougar would answer these questions and a whole lot more later that night completely unaware that nobody was listening! Another unknown plan was then put into action. This was Plan M and worked a treat as the ball was deflected into the top of the goal. Unfortunately the umpire had blown the whistle a split second earlier for a short corner! Where was the advantage rule? Where was the non controlling umpire this time? Amazingly he was having a siesta down the other end, asleep at the wheel! Plans P and Q managed to get WA through to halftime, WA had scored 3 goals and NSW 1 but the scoreboard read 1-1. Oh well, such is life!
The second half started the same as the first half with Plan B. Unfortunately Plan B didn't work this time either and WA found themselves down 2-1 after 3 minutes!! Other plans were quickly put in place. Plans T and V spring to mind. These included guts and determination as a tiring WA battled to stay in the contest. But battle they did forcing numerous short corners right up until the final whistle. Peter Morgan was a stand out in this regard but unfortunately the penalty corner brigade could not finish off the good work. Somewhere near the end NSW scored again to run out 3-1 winners.
Upon reflection, So near yet so far, all players had given their all, nobody was to blame, all could be proud of their silver medals. What might have been? This question would be best answered later that evening whilst staring intently into the bottom of a beer bottle or wine glass, the drone of "the Cougar" in the background as he both clarifies and confuses his mathematical theories. The room of mirrors awaits but wait a message has just popped up! Wednesday hockey is up and going, I haven't got time to dwell. In the words of the great philosopher "Coops" "Never look back, all you get is a crook neck!" Forget the post mortem, get out there and enjoy yourself! We'll be back! Next year is looking good already!
Result: WA 1 – NSW 3
Goal scorers: Ian Evans 1
Cards: Yellow - Ian Pestana, Peter Komyshan