A mixed bag of results for Monash Hockey Club in round 3.
The Women’s Vic League 1 girls obtained their first point for the season with a close game against Knox. There was a lot of hustle throughout the game, displayed in a lovely team goal that was finished off by Tayla Hubbard. The match saw lots of good hockey, with some great stick to stick passing and an awesome teamwork. In the end the weather and the field worked against Monash, making it hard for the fantastic play to be turned into goals.
The Women’s Vic League 1 Reserves battled against Knox on a particularly sunny day. The playing surface added to the frustration of the game, but an awesome field goal from Val Bell invigorated an already fired up team. The final nail in the coffin was delivered by Cass David’s short corner goal, allowing the women’s 2s to bring home the bacon for the team, a final score of 2-1.
In the Mens Vic League 2 division the mens match began in an end-to-end battle, with both teams displaying great defensive pressure to force turnovers. Reliable performers Vish Patel and Peter Johnson generated plenty of chances at goal, and forwards Matt Absolom and Florian Krettek converted, showing great awareness around the goal mouth. However Monash had no answer to the strong short corner battery of the PEGS side, allowing three drag flicks to be scored and found themselves down 3-2. As the game slowed, Monash were unable to capitalise and allowed a late goal, PEGS sealing the win 4-2.
In the Reserves, the Monash Mens 2s suffered their first loss of the season, going down 3-1 to PEGS. Up against a strong opposition squad, the teams were evenly matched but Monash couldn’t covert their scoring opportunities. A solid performance from Belgium import Will De Vliegher and a short corner conversion from Stephen Bird had the game 1-1 going into half time. However this wasn’t enough to keep PEGS from running away with the win.
The womens Pennant D girls, better known as the Fighting Tambourines, had a tough match against a physical Swinburne side. Despite the efforts of the defence, Swinburne’s pressure and fight for the ball eventually pushed them over the line for a 4-1 win.
In the Metro B South division, The Legion of Boom faced Dandenong on a cold Sunday evening. Tensions were rising high as Dandy scored early in the first half and went into half-time at 2-0. Showing their fighting spirit, BOOM answered the call with two goals in quick succession, tying the game in a nail biting finish.
In the Mens Pennant B, the Monash 3’s had an unfortunate loss to MCC 8-0. The men have had a tough start to the year. Playing an exceptionally high grade they are performing admirably. There have been sustained periods of very good play, especially moving the ball forward. However, the 3’s are a work in progress and coach Trent Bussell is looking for continual improvement over the course of the season. Nice Lange’s early season form has been eye catching, while Monash ‘veterans’ like Damo McArthur, Brad Malcom and Paul Golsworthy continue to impress.
The mens 4s in the Metro A lost to Greenborough 3-1. These boys have also had a tough start to the year. With some players new to hockey and most of the team new to each other, they’re looking to build a team that plays very good simple hockey. The team has put together some very, very good patches of play but have struggled to play the full 70 minutes. Keeping the opposition scoreless to half time in both games, the side feels that fitness have let them down. The highlight was the goal. New player Allan Ou, setting up noted goal scorer Dom ‘Stinga’ Barr, a veteran of the old Snickers’ teams, was great to see.
In the Masters, Monash Womens A defeated Yesterdays Heros 4-2! Monash played the better first half with lots of great passing and running off the ball. Monash quickly slotted a couple of field goals and a penalty corner. Heroes lifted in the second half and a couple of scrappy goals went in. A high flick into the corner of the net off a corner sealed the game 4-2. Worth the trip to Greensborough!
Goals went to: Brooke Chapman, Steph Jones, Kerryn McIver and Valerie Bell.
The Womens Masters B grade defeated Hawthorn 1-0. Overall it was a great attacking game by Monash with lots of scoring opportunities, good passing and plenty of teamwork. A steady defense saw the ball kept in our attacking half for a lot of the game and the match was sealed by a great hit from a short corner.
Goal scorer: Wendy Opie
In the Mens Masters BNW, Monash had a tough loss to Brunswick 2-0.
The Mens Masters BSW got a goal on the board, but the GD Warriors took the win 3-1.