WA Over 35's - 2012 Match Reports
WA vs VIC - Friday, September 28, 2012
After the heavy rain, thunder and lightening of the morning, there was a good break in the weather for the WA 35s first game of the tournament (or carnival, if you are from Narrogin, apparently).
The rainbow bangles that the Vics handed out at the line-up threw the 35s into some confusion which is clearly the reason for the slow start form WA. The bangles were a nice trick from the Vic's though we would have preferred a gift of the fabulous rainbow socks.
Vic's got an early short corner - within a minute. No goal but they had another chance soon after and converted. Back to the centre line. WA got control of the ball and kept up the attack - peppering the goals with great efforts. Against the run of play, Vic's got a breakaway and the easily fooled the keeper to slot a second goal. Vics 2-0 up.
WA kept at it. Heads up and determined, the 35s pushed it along and kept their game going. Some brilliant efforts up front, notably, Nyree and B combining, a great slide from B had the ball grazing the post. So close. The Vics goalkeeper was keeping WA out.
Just before half time, a goal mouth scramble saw Liz get one over the line. A great way to go into the half time break. 1-2 to Victoria.
A pep talk from Janet, and a bit of a breather, and the WA women were back out on the pitch ready to take the Vics on.
Another goal mouth scramble after a short corner strike and save saw Jo tip the ball over the line. Second goal!
Game even and game on. 2-2.
WA kept pressing and the Vics were a little confused having lost their early lead. The pressure showed and Victoria conceded another short corner. This time, out to Liz with a push to B, and a quick slap in got us another goal.
Here we go ... WA up 3-2.
Vic kept up their attack and pushed the defense. Great composure under pressure in the backline fed the ball into the middle for quality counter attacks.
B and Gossy combined terrifically down the middle, B pushing it past the fullback to Gossy to take the shot and get it. 4-2.
Victoria kept coming, hoping to regain their early strength. A few scrambles in the back meant the defense had another short corner to contend with. A good shot from a variation and Vickers had their third goal. 4-3.
With 2 minutes to play the Vics took their goalkeeper off in the 'Olympic Move'...pushing everyone forward - hoping to salvage a draw. The defense again withstood, and fed the ball up to Izzy who pushed it along Jo - drawing all 3 remaining defenders - and cleverly fed the ball to B and Liz standing in the open goal. Another goal.
The game ended on a short corner for the Vics. Having all 11 players line the circle was absolutely fruitless, as the striker sprayed it wide of goal and ended the game.
Result: WA 5 - VIC 3
WA vs ACT - Saturday, September 29, 2012
Second game of the tournament and after an exciting goal-laden win over Victoria, WA needed to get going against the Australian Capital Territory.
The ACT came out very strong against us dominating into the WA defensive half for much of the first half. The record keeping showed that WA conceded a crazy number of short corner in the first half, with all of them ably defended and GK Karly White making a number of direct and secondary saves. Great work!
WA made the most of their strikes into the 25 yard zone. B got a good ball from the back line, and brought the ball down the middle. Passed off to Izzy who kind of muffed the shot or cleverly tricked the ACT GK into hitting the ground; Izzy recovered and took advantage and slotted in the goal with Smash backing her up all the way.
WA 1-0
Still in the first half, ACT was having the most of it, but were it able to put it away, thanks mainly to some composed defence from WA. The West drove forward and got a penalty corner- the only one of the half. The expert statistician described the next goal like this - "Liz off short corner.F-up. Fluffed hit bounced over keeper past poster. Umpires conferred. Goal." An accurate description of one of the jammiest goals in hockey. Call that a smash... don't think so....
WA 2-0
Into the second half, and ACT were still maintaining the pressure. The defence absorbed repeated attacks maintaining composure. ACT earned a Penalty corner, and after initial saves it went over the line.
WA 2-1
The black and gold hung in there for the win, knowing we can do better. Some big games to come !
Result: WA 2 - ACT 1
WA vs SA - Sunday, September 30, 2012
Third game. Late in the day after the Sydney Swans won the AFL grand final, WA headed out to the Victorian State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville to face South Australia.
Following a bit of self-analysis after the win against ACT, the WA girls went out to get a job done. A few switches around the field, and WA set out to consolidate the game plan for the tournament. A calm backline with Kellie A steering the ship, the ball fed into the mid field with ease. Effective passing across the field increased our circle penetration, but the goals were hard to come by. The SA goalkeeper was a star and kept out numerous forays into the circle.
Half way into the first half, Parkey converted a penalty corner variation. WA 1-0.
The croweaters were quick to respond. Out of the blocks they went forward quickly to earn a PC. SA converted and the score went to evens. WA 1-1.
WA were still dominating the game but unable to find the net. Making good use of the space, and maintaining composure, the west kept control for the most part. An unusual lapse from Ren where she had a lacrosse shot with her stick had her given a yellow card with 1 second to go until the break.
The second half saw the SA defence hold firm. Another PC to WA saw Parky flick the ball over the keeper's pads for our second and the final goal of the game. the west kept dominating in attack but no luck. Putting her body on the line, Smash went into the gk and got a ball and glove in her chin for her trouble. Now I have 4 roomies, such is the size of the emerging growth on Smash's face. Affectionately referred to as 'Bob', the hairline fracture should be with us for the remainder of the tournament, casting a friendly shadow wherever Smash goes...
In the end WA 2-1. Next game is against NSW. More goals required.
Result: WA 2 - SA 1
WA vs NSW - Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Another early start for WA with an unnamed coach requiring a 6.30 walk around the Carlton Gardens. Great idea. Jolly good fun.
Game commenced at 10.15 on field 1. After a brief escapade involving a Queensland cane toad, the team got down to business.
Both teams were evenly matched, fighting it out as the morning heated up. The defence held strong and kept the ball out of the net. About 10 minutes in to the first half, NSW got a penalty corner and after some good passing in the circle, the blues converted. WA 0-1 NSW.
The remainder of the first half was goal-less.
In to the second half, and the WA girls were striving to peg back the NSW goal. Some rough play saw our captain, Tina Parker, get hit in the mouth with a stick handle. Not nice. After stumbling off the pitch wondering where the blood was coming from, Parkey soon realised half her top lip was hanging off. So while Captain Blood left a pint of blood on the turf, the Hockey Victoria set off in search of a bucket, some water, and a brush. Some 15 minutes later, no progress. But the cleaning squad did arrive and the game resumed. WA was flat and was quickly under pressure, and NSW got their second goal.
Not unfamiliar with comebacks, WA got their respective As into G, and fought tough up forward. During a penalty corner, Smash went one step further and put the ball on the fullback on the line - penalty stroke. Izzy stepped up and converted.
NSW 2- 1 WA
NSW didn't let up. Three minutes later they had a penalty corner and converted for the third NSW goal.
NSW 3 - 1 WA
The west kept up and a great run through the centre from Izzy and a shot on goal let B push it the last bit over the line. Great goal.
NSW 3 - 2 WA
The west kept pressing but the clock beat us. In the end, the blues won the game and WA learned a few lessons over the course of the day. Lesson 1- never give back another team's mascot. Lesson 2 - go to Epworth Hospital if some NSW person sticks their stick in your face and rips your lip off. Lesson 3 - don't argue with your coach when she decides to freeze her crocs (what was that about, Janet?)
Final lesson - NSW only get to beat WA once in a tournament.
Result: WA 2 - NSW 3
WA vs QLD - Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The later game start of 11:45 meant we could indulge in a 7:30am walk. Thank heaven for small mercies. A quick trot around the park and some stretches had the WA 35s ready to get the gear packed and get going. A great coffee from down the road helped.
The language barrier notwithstanding, playing Queensland is always a challenge. Having to speak only in single syllable words can take its toll and WA probably let the banana benders off the hook a little.
The game got off to a steady start and Queensland dominated in attack early. The WA defence was solid with Kellie A, Nyree and Sads taking charge and keeping it all under control. Determined to keep working away at making the best use of the space available, the backline shared the ball around and kept up at improving the switch. Queensland made the most of their chances, intercepting a stray pass, and driving wide into the circle and threading a needle to get a great goal on the run. 16 minutes in WA 0 - QLD 1.
After making the first score of the game, Queensland continued to keep up the pressure but were consistently denied the opportunity to have a shot on goal. The WA defenders stood firm and kept the Wests in the game.
The heat of the day saw both sides welcome the half time break. Captain Tina Parker ended up not taking the field as her vision was obscured by her ever swelling lips. That will happen when you require 22 stitches to sew your top lip back together. Tough nut, our Parkie.
In the second half, WA improved on their outlets from defence in the second half. The defenders had options to Denise Bendotti and Ren. Denise was a star in the midfield, making herself available at every opportunity, working on the leads and taking the passes and pushing the ball forward. The West Aussies had more opportunities up front after the break, but solid defence from Queensland denied us a goal.
The game was very even, but Queensland were able to apply critical pressure to get a penalty corner. A straight shot from the top of the circle hit the keepers stick and flew into the net. WA 0 - 2 Qld
WA kept on attacking and battling to get some shots away. But the day was not ours, and the game ended with a Queensland win. The result had no bearing on what would be on next for the West - another game against the banana benders on Friday. But the WA women have more to give and will lay it all out on the pitch on Friday.
Result: WA 0 - QLD 2
Semi-Final WA vs XXX - Thursday, October 4, 2012
Result: WA n - XXX n
Grand Final WA vs XXX - Saturday, October 6, 2012
Result: WA n - XXX n