Intermediate Boys Hockey

On Tuesday 6 October, fifteen students across Years 9-10 represented Wantirna College at the Eastern Metropolitan Region Intermediate Boys Hockey tournament in Hawthorn. 

Due to our usual rivals not entering a hockey team this year, Wantirna entered the tournament as the division champions for Knox, which boosted our morale early… until we met our competitors.

As a team with very limited hockey experience (and with a limited understanding of the official rules), we got a run for our money in our first two games, playing against East Doncaster and Balwyn. 

In these matches against two very organised and experienced teams, our strategy was to hold possession for as long as possible, and save more goals than we let through. 

I’d like to commend Jack Handley and Ezekiel Simari, the only students brave enough to stand in goals. Jack, in particular, donned the bulky goal-keeper equipment for two games across the day, while setting up some counter-attacks with a few booming kicks. 

In our final match for the day, we were matched up against Auburn, who had similarly suffered heavy defeats across their first two games. 

They were a perfect match-up for us, and this game allowed some of our players to put more of their skills on display. 

Harry, Marco, Ayden, and Jordan set up a lot of aggressive plays in the midfield, Lachlan, Zach and Kaydan created some opportunities up forward, while Nathan, Blake, Ashton, and the two Coopers were rock solid in defence. 

But our star of the day was Sam Davies, who finished the day as our only goal-scorer when he put us up 1-0 in the first half. 

Unfortunately, Auburn tied the game up late in the second half with an equaliser. While the official scorebook will record a draw, a hastily-organised penalty shoot-out meant that Auburn got to take home bragging rights.

Despite having limited hockey experience in our team, the Wantirna squad had a lot of fun trying out something new, and it was pleasing to see the team support one another, show good sportsmanship, and have a bit of a laugh in the process.

Team: Nathan Bourke, Cooper Charles, Sam Davies, Cooper Devonshire, Lachlan Don, Ashton Eagles, Jack Handley, Harry Hayes, Blake Jackson, Zach Leyland, Kaydan Palmer, Jordan Peavey, Marco Ponente, Ezekiel Simari, Ayden Yusuf

Kevin Hawkins

Coach