Round 11 saw a mixed bag of results for Monash Hockey Club. On the downward slope, the second half of the season sees many Monash teams have only a few point separating them and the top teams.
Womens 1s
On a freezing cold winters afternoon, our Monash girls fronted up for a stiff game of hockey against Mornington Penisula. After holding strong in the first half, MPHC quickly succeeded two goals at the start of the second half. Monash worked hard to get one back in the net with a quick play-on resulting in Tayla Hubbard hitting one in from the top of the D. The final score saw the girls go down 3-1. Monash faces Mornington again this week, hoping for a better result.
Womens 2s
Our Vic league 1 reserves were on a high after their big win last week and continued with their success. At half time the teams seemed evenly matched with a 0-0 result. Our girls knew they had to keep on fighting and came out as the stronger team overall. Nifty work from Jasmine Sylivris and Harriet Houghton meant Monash won the game, 2-0.
Mens 1s
Keen to continue the club success, the firsts started with a bang, as Jimmy Morrow buried a drag flick early in the first half to put Monash up 1-0. The game soon settled into a battle however, and the intensity closely resembled that of the match before it. The farmers played great team hockey, but a few key MHS players kept the opposition in it. MHS levelled the score with plenty of time remaining, and despite weary legs and numb fingers the pace never slowed. Exceptional forward pressure, particularly from Dutch import Stephen Yong, had MHS rattled but they almost pulled clear with a drag flick before Vish ‘all day’ Patel sent it sailing over the backline for six.
Running out of options, and time, Coach Chitto looked down his weathered bench and plucked out Ned Dann to insert him into the midfield. This stroke of coaching genius paid off, as the sometimes mercurial and always enigmatic Dann played his way into the opposition half, creating a penalty corner. Jimmy Morrow never blinked, sinking MHS with another drag flick and letting out a roar that sent children running and startled nearby construction workers. An MHS comeback was never in the script, and Monash pushed out the game to finish 2-1 victors, with another well-earned song leaving the visitors with their heads held high.
Mens 2s
Round 11 for the Mens Vic League teams left hairs greyed and torn, fingernails chewed and voices hoarse, as both games went down to the absolute wire.
Playing away against Melbourne High, the boys were looking to repeat their Round 2 sweep in bleak and blustery conditions.
The Mens 2s led us off and within the first two minutes MHS managed to break away, denied only by the woodwork. That jolt of adrenaline was the first of many, as end-to-end hockey and fierce contests left both teams exhausted, and scoreless, at the half-time whistle. The backline, led by an outstanding performance from keeper James ‘Bimbo’ Willing, kept the opposition scoreless while yet another great game from Zeming Zhou fed the forwards well into the second half.
Despite remaining nil-all, Monash stuck to their game plan and never panicked, generating chance after chance in the final minutes. The MHS defence was finally breached when Zeming threaded a pass from the top of the circle to Marty Fielke, who knocked it in off the back post to much adulation. Not a minute later, the final whistle blew and tears of joy fell on rain-swept faces as the Monash song echoed throughout South Yarra.
Womens 3s
Facing Melbourne Cricket Club this week, our womens 3s were ready for a battle. With minimal points separating the two teams everyone knew they faced a close game. Monash managed to put two goals in the net, but MCC managed to match them. The game ended in a 2-2 draw meaning Monash is only one point off the top 4. Goals went to Emma Lightbody and Jasmine Sylivris.
Womens 4s
This week the girls played against 3rd placed GD Warriors. Monash fought hard to keep them away, but at half time they were down 1-0. Knowing they were strong enough to get one back Monash put one in the net but the final result saw our girls go down 2-1.
Mens 3s
An unfortunate loss in round 11 for our 3s, seeing MCC put 7 goals in the net and Monash unable to work their magic.
Mens 4s
Waverley defeated Monash 4-0 this week.
Womens Masters A Grade
Monash def Kew 2-0
We were slow to start but when Brooke put in a great penalty flick the pace changed and we dominated for the rest of the first half. Our short passing improved as the game progressed and our goal sneak Val found the net to take us to 2-0. A solid defense ensured that we kept them scoreless.
Womens Masters B Grade
Camberwell def Monash 2-1
Although we went down 2-1 we played an excellent game against the skilled Camberwell. Our goal was finished off by Jo thanks to great passing and team work leading into the D. They scored both their goals from short corners. Overall a great effort by Monash B.
This Weeks Fixture
Womens 1s- Sun 2pm @ PHC
Womens 2s- Sun 12:30pm @ PHC
Mens 1s- Sat 2pm @ PSF1
Mens 2s- Sat 12:30pm @ PSF1
Womens 3s- Sat 3:30pm @ Monash
Womens 4s- Sun 11am @ MNT
Mens 3s- Sat 5pm @ Monash
Mens 4s- Sat 5pm @ KNX