Men Pen C and Pen F

Men Pennant C - Greg Paul

After having the 2020 season called off and not having a huge pre-season, it was hard to know what to expect for the year to come. Luckily for us we still had a tight knit group from the 2019 season that saw PC move up the standings. After our first round vs Greensborough and slotting 6 unanswered goals, PC really hit the season running and there was a good vibe amongst the group. We then took on KBH away and had them on the ropes the entire game only to concede a late one end in a draw. After this match there was a real belief that we had the makings of something special. PC continued to improve week on week and really built a strong, consistent and team orientated brand of hockey.

It was great to see just how much depth our side had as we saw players get selected for PB, multiple injuries or unavailabilities, and still see the team go head to head in big games and come out on top. 

After 10 games of hockey (8 wins, 1 draw and a loss), scoring 29 and only conceding 6, it was a fantastic result. There is no doubt this side would have gone all the way in a full season. I think its important to note just how much this side has improved over the last 3 seasons and it’s a real credit to the players, coaches and club. From almost being relegated and not winning a game in 2018, to finishing 2nd of the table (and promotion to PB!!) in 2021 is a massive achievement that everyone has contributed to and can be proud of. Bring on 2022.

Men Pennant F - Ed Elder

The Men’s Pennant F side continued their strong form of recent seasons in our truncated 2021 season. While the TEM and KBH sides spent most of the season jockeying for the top position, KBH were on top when the Covid restrictions came back, with TEM a game behind in second place.

We played ten games with seven wins, one draw (against KBH), two close losses, and a goal difference of +15. We liked to win, just not by huge margins. Impressively, there were 27 different players who lined up at least once for the Pennant F side, Chris Cann and Seb Holding the only two players playing all ten games. The side had 12 different goal scorers with Seb Holding, Ben Hartley and Ed Elder equal top scorers with five each. Seb was also the leading green card getter for the season – he does not like being beat. Cam Wilson and Daniel Suzor donned the goalie gear for us throughout the season. It was wonderful having Cam (and Ben Wilson!) come back to TEM to play hockey this season.

It is a great pity the team was not able to finish off the season and see how far they could have gone in the finals; perhaps going one better than 2019 and making the grand final. Having a core groups of players staying together from previous years was a great benefit and made for a strong scaffold from which new players could easily fit in. As is not uncommon in TEM sides, goal scoring (in particular putting away weaker sides) and consistent four quarter efforts (it is still a little weird to write quarter here) are two key facets of our game that need to improve for this team to take it all the way in SepTEMber.

The team was fortunate to have Chris Cann as captain to lead us out each week. He lead the team with a quiet intensity, always offering advice and encouragement in a patient and supportive manner. The industrious Sam Hill was our manager. It says a lot about Sam that he took on this responsibility on top of his many other roles in support of the club. As per usual, he did an excellent job.

Thank you to all the players that played with Pennant F, all the supporters who came to watch, to Chris and Sam for leading and organising the team and, of course, to TEM for allowing us all to play the game we love.