State League

State League Training Times @ March 2010 - Tuesday, 9 March 2010

Strikers:

Tuesday - HAW 7.00pm to 8.30pm

Thursday - HAW 6.30pm to 8.00pm

Spitfires:

Tuesday - HAW 6.30pm to 8.00pm

Thursday - HAW 6.30pm to 8.00pm

Also Sunday mornings from 8.00am, until further notice

Preseason Training for 2010 Season - Friday, 27 November 2009

Preseason for State League is now starting. Times, dates and places are as follows:

Spitfires: Wednesday and Friday Nouriel Park Commencing at 7.00pm Already commenced
Strikers: Monday and Thursday Albury Hockey Centre Commencing at 7.00pm (sessions to take about 45 mins) First session Monday 30 Nov

Further details contact Jacqui Allen 0418 62 55 16

Grand Final Match Report - Thursday, 24 September 2009

SPITFIRES VERSUS MUHC AT STATE HOCKEY CENTRE

Spitfires 3 (Ian Beath 3) lost to MUHC 4

On Sunday we played in the grand final against Melbourne University and the game certainly lived up to expectations with a high scoring and hard fought game from both teams.

We had prepared well during the week and a good season left us in good stead for the last game. We came out strongly and had the better of the first ten minutes, managing to score after some excellent work from Jeremy Maggs and Tony Donnelley working the ball well into our forward line and a lucky finish sealed our first goal.

I had high hopes that this would lift our team’s confidence but unfortunately Uni scored back within minutes and our lead was gone. Heading towards half time Uni took ascendency again and worked a corner that was finished well leaving us trailing at half time two one.

At half time we talked about not over committing and holding the play when necessary to keep the game at our pace and try and maintain more possession and not allow Uni the chances they were getting through sloppy tackles and poor marking.

We came out raring to go and for the initial part of the second half looked to be achieving what we had talked about at half time. This period of play was topped off when Jeremy Maggs got control on the twenty five yard line and laid an excellent pass across that was finished well getting us back to two all.

Within minutes however Uni worked the ball down our right side and into the circle forcing a corner that led to another goal leaving us trailing again and hurting our moral. We did fight back with ten minutes to go with no player giving up for a second and through persistence earnt a penalty stroke that was dually put away keeping us in touch and a good chance to finish the game strongly.

Melbourne Uni was unfortunately luckier than us and scored their fourth goal with only five minutes remaining and although we pushed hard and had short corners, even after the final siren we could not capitalise and ended up finishing second on the day.

The team put in a super effort with every player doing their utmost to win but we just couldn’t get over the line. Our main aim was to get to state league one and we achieved that, unfortunately we did not get the cherry on top of our cake.

Thank you all for supporting the team all year and the boys certainly appreciated those people, friends and family who made the long trip to Melbourne to watch us in the final.

Special thanks also to Ross and Janne Maggs for all the effort they put in all year and thanks also to my brother Stuart who helped a lot with coaching and support, I sincerely appreciated it.

Beathy

Preliminary Final Match Report - Thursday, 17 September 2009

SPITFIRES VERSUS KEW AT STATE HOCKEY CENTRE

Spitfires 3 (Ian Beath, Peter Barber, Jeremy Maggs) defeated Kew 1

Hey People,

Last Sunday played Kew in our preliminary final and after losing our last two games we looked to come back with a vengeance and avoid another shock loss that would also end our season.

We had trained well all week and talked about the areas we needed to improve on to beat Kew and were confident of pulling it off. The game began and we took control immediately, with Kew rarely finding the ball and with us maintaining possession as much as possible.

It was not long before an opening presented itself and we managed to score our first goal. From there our confidence grew and we pressed Kew with vigour and earnt another corner that set us up for our second goal that was put away well by Peter Barber giving us a two goal lead.

The rest of the half the was well controlled with our full backs and halves performing particularly well, and not giving Kew any chance to get any effective possession.

At half time we led by two and our talk revolved around keeping up the hard work and holding the ball, but still maintain our attacking style.

Unfortunately we came out quite flat at the start of the half and Kew had the run of the first fifteen minutes, with us being unable to gain good possession and giving Kew good scoring opportunities which they eventually used well and scored, giving them some hope staying in the match.

However, we regrouped well and through discipline and hard work regained our earlier form and started to build some momentum and for at least the next ten minutes had the run of the game.

With only five minutes remaining we started to tighten up and Kew began to look dangerous until Jeremy Maggs pulled out some fine skill and pace and eluded the Kew defence and scored the sealer giving us a three one victory.

We are now looking forward to playing Melbourne Uni in the grand final this weekend.

Best players were Andrew Maggs, Jeremy Maggs, Fergus Dawson, Tim Jones and Ben Martin who had a great game saving many scoring attempts.

Your support this weekend will be greatly appreciated.

Beathy