Sport

Hockey

DIVISION 5

College Hurricanes completed their 2016 season with hard-fought 1-1 draw with Monivae. Throughout the match, the team counter-attacked with poise and width. Best for College were Macey Hermon, Skye Headlam, Chloe Headlam and Rupert Merrin. The team completed a fantastic season, with all players improving. Special thanks to coaches Sophie Jones and Shanna Brumby. The girls did an amazing job with a very young, enthusiastic team. Thanks also to Mrs Fiona Hermon for her tireless work as team manager.

DIVISION 4

College Crusaders won through to the Preliminary Final with a 2-0 win over Coleraine Gold in their Elimination Semi-Final on Saturday afternoon. The team played some exceptional hockey, with Olivia Allen starring in the midfield. She was rewarded with a great second half goal. Isabelle Musson scored in the first half to take the team to the lead at half time. Best for College were Emily Ash, Will Ash, Natalie Featherston and Isabelle Musson.

Mr Stephen Nelson

DIVISION ONE HOCKEY 

The Thundersticks were brought down to earth with a thud on Sunday defeated by Monivae 1-0. After completing the home and away season undefeated the girls went into Sunday's final as favourites. An ankle injury to captain Emily Johnston left a large hole on the forward line. The girls had a number of scoring opportunities but as she has been for most of the season, the Monivae goalie was simply too good. A rare scoring opportunity late in the second half resulted in a Monivae goal and the Thundersticks simply didn't have the answers. The girls will now face Dunkeld on the weekend and will need to play more determined and disciplined hockey if they are to reach the Grand Final.

Miss Kristen Waldron

COLLEGE B-GRADE BLADES

The College Blades finished off their season with an excellent hard fought semi-final match against Monivae Mustangs last weekend. From the very beginning, the girls put in 110% effort and their determination and tenacity didn’t waver until the final whistle went. Olivia Allen, Kirrily Jackson and Skye McIntosh were instrumental across the half line and set up many of the forward movements, working well with Lily McCure, Shayleigh Ingelse and Grace Austin each of whom played a terrific match in the midfield and provided the team with numerous goal scoring opportunities. Emily Crawford was a fantastic goalie and was well supported by Gretal Nagorcka and Jemma Swanson who have shown a lot of improvement in their defensive skills over the season. Despite having majority of the play throughout the match, the girls just could not buy a goal. Nina Pern and Valentina Merchant worked tirelessly on the posts and down the wings and were extremely unlucky to not find the back of the net. After two quick goals had been scored by the opposition, the Blades were rewarded for their hard fought efforts, with Shayleigh converting a penalty stroke late into the second half. Unfortunately, they were unable to level the score by the final siren but they are to be commended for playing some great hockey and for finishing the season with one of their best matches of the year. Well done girls on a great season!

Emily Johnston (College Blades Coach, Captain of Girls’ Hockey)

BOYS’ HOCKEY

The Open team’s Qualifying Final against Bulls was a tense and tight affair.  We began very brightly and dominated the first fifteen minutes.  During this period we forced eight penalty corners and the ball was barely out of our forward half.  Crisp passing to players moving into space and plenty of movement were the hallmarks of our play.  Bulls regrouped and forced their way back into the game, scoring the only goal of the first half.  Midway through the second half, a delightful one-two between Tom Verco and Josh Nichols saw the former slot the ball into goals for the equaliser.  Momentarily, we lifted but it was Bulls who finished the stronger.  We ended up playing a long hitting game to stationary targets and Bulls scored from a corner a little later to record a 2-1 win.

Captain Josh Nichols and Tom Verco provided great mid-field drive and effort. Tom Bunge was tightly marked but still made a number of strong forward runs.   Will Allen was rock solid in defence, along with Peter Musson repelling numerous attacks.  Goalie Josh Cavill made several fine saves, also standing out as one of the best players.  Tom Dufty and Andrew Robertson linked well, especially early in the game, and Liam McMaugh worked hard as always.

So, we play Demons next week in a cut-throat match.  We will need to play our team game for longer than we managed last Sunday if we wish to advance.

Mr Neil MacLean

Head of Hockey (Boys’)