Winners of Norton Cup

Another good win 3-0 vs Taranaki. Fantastic to finish the week on a high.

vs Manawatu

7-0 win against Manawatu. A classy display, especially in the first half.
Great to see Josiah and Sam C on the field contributing well.
The boys coped calmly with some unusual refereeing calls - a disallowed goal (no one knows why)and some weird PC opportunities given to Manawatu from well outside the goal.
Ryan took a fast driven ball to the chest and will have a colourful war-wound to show; he scored the first goal off a stroke, giving him a 100% stroke record.

Fantastic a WIN!

A well executed and deserved win at last. The crowd went wild - 'Tana' hats flew into the air and many a supporter's blood pressure dropped to safer levels. Good work coaches.

Finally we saw some intensity on attack and gritty play that put sustained pressure on a good Tauranga team. A slight reshuffle in the forwards, an energetic display by Troy and Sunny and good feeding by Timmy and Daniel resulted in 3 goals. A well deserved goal to Sunny and then goals to Aki and Connor which should boost their confidence for the upcoming matches.

Tauranga were very strong and fast on attack, but a good defensive effort ensured no goals to the opposition - well done Marc, Ryan, Sam, Max, Shaq, Troy and Mitchell.

We are carrying a few niggling injuries; captain courageous took a big thump from a stick to his chest; and we even have one with chicken pox....but the squad's versatility has meant that positions have been covered. Hopefully everyone is back on deck tomorrow.

Draw vs North Harbour

Again we dominated possession, did a fine job defensively, moved the ball through the mid-field well - but failed to net any goals. 5 PCs and countless strikes at goal were either missed, muffed or well defended by the NH goalie and defensive line up. Frustrating for all - the team are playing some excellent hockey; and to shut the opposition down so well without winning is heart breaking!
Score 1:1

1-1 draw vs Thames Valley

Fantastic defense and good mid-field play secured the team 90% possession - but we just can't seem to score goals. It certainly isn't for lack of trying but it is proving frustrating for players, coaches and spectators alike. Brilliant all-round game by Daniel and excellent contribution from Shaq with his solid defense and good distribution.

4-1 loss to Wairarapa

The score is not really a true reflection on the game...but at the end of the day you have to put the ball in the goal to win; and we didn't. We muffed numerous shots at goal after having about 70% of the possession. Wairarapa scored from a couple of fast breaks (do you have them in hockey?)against the run of play. But they ran fast, created space and then hit the ball hard - a successful mix.
Wellington looked like they could win all game - they attacked well but couldn't finish their good work.

14-0 win vs Mid Canterbury

The boys are off to a good start - they played as a team with 'goal' contributions from many. Great to see the positive team work, them using the pace of the ball and width of the field to beat defenders.
The weather is surprisingly OK - cold, a freezing wind but no rain!

Off to Invergiggle tomorrow morning

The last Samoas have been sold; the bear has been washed and prepared for his journey, bags are packed, lunches made, and of course the hair bleached!
The team is ready.

Team meeting

The final team training and meeting on Sunday.

The team were presented with their travelling shirt by Steve and listened to a motivational speech. They were told of the responsibility, the privilege and pride that comes with representing Wellington - especially the importance of considering "The Past, The Present and The Future" whenever they put on their uniform.

Practice game vs U-16Cs

A much better game - they passed, they looked wide for team mates (most of the time)and looked more competitive than in their previous outing. Well done guys.

Horowhenua Friday night game

Not our best game - A game to forget!
Cold, wet, windy and not our day. Horowhenua scored some excellent goals.

Wanganui Tournament

A slow start but a strong finish!

Results

4 Wairarapa vs 1 Wellington

7 Wellington vs 0 Taranaki

0 Hawke’s Bay vs 5 Wellington

Blenheim Tournament

Last weekend we went to Blenheim to play in a mini tournament against Marlborough, Nelson and Canterbury.
Our first 2 games against Marlborough and Nelson went well with good team work and 11-0 and 6-0 wins. Our coaches Nigel and Subs were reasonably happy, but we did miss a few opportunities.
Our game against Canterbury was to be our big match of the weekend. Unfortunately, half our team were struggling with food poisoning and sickness so we performed well below our best, losing 6-1.
This weekend saw the introduction of Wellington Bear, the Wellington Hatch Cup team mascot for the past 15 years. Tradition dictates that the youngest team member is given the responsibility for its care and wellbeing for the season. This year Troy has been given the task and so far has performed admirably, including WB in all team talks, games and adventures over the weekend. (He even got to sit in a fighter jet at Woodbourne Airforce Base).
In WB's kit bag are a 'Doh Hat' and a 'Genius Hat', given to players who deserve special mention for activities on and off the field.
The hats changed hands several times, but at the conclusion of the weekend, Max and Sam C shared the 'Doh Hat' for looking like a '3 legged monster' on the field (quote Nigel) and Marc our goalie had the 'Genius Hat' for many great saves against Canterbury.
Another highlight of the weekend has been the emergence of Ryan as an exceptionally solid defensive player. Well done Ryan on your switch from the forwards to the back line.

Practice game vs U-16s

The U13s did well this morning against the bigger boys, holding them to only 6 goals. There were moments when the our boys had them on the ropes, and the U16s had to step up a gear to get out of their half. The older boys used their size and speed to stay on top of the game, but were seriously hassled by the younger ones. The U13s acquitted themselves well, with Nigel Pollock coming away reasonably happy with the outcome.

Off to a great start

We are now the holders of the Bartholemew cup.

Horowhenua won 3 -1 in the final game meaning we won overall on goal difference. A late penalty stoke by Manawatu with about 2 minutes to go sealed it for us.

Well done boys from all the parents - not bad for a first up outing.

The trick now is to keep improving at a faster rate than everyone else.

Results
3 wins and 1 draw,14 goals scored for and only 4 goals conceded against us.

Horowhenua 2-2
Manawatu 4-0
Hawkes Bay 4-0
Wairarapa 4-2


Highlights:
Our goalie Mark saving a 'stroke' with his quick reactions.
The famous drag-flick goal by Timmy.
The Manawatu goalie.