Sunday, May 2, 2010
Determined Challenge make history
Since their promotion to the Reserve Grade, Challenge University have seldom had a week where they have not been up against it. This weekend was no different with their opposition, New World being a perennial bogey team of sorts for other Varsity teams since time immemorial. It was well known that New World’s experience, skill, and aggressive playing style were a force to be reckoned with. But when it was mentioned that their strikers were good enough to make any keeper obsolete, Steve “Don’t Call Me Steven” Peter (Challenge’s Captain and goalie) was heard to say: “Bugger that”.
The Challenge boys were always going to be struggling with only 12 players available for the game, and indeed the first ten minutes brought territory and possession dominance from New World, with repeated attacks on the student’s goal. The situation was made dire with an injury to defender Chris Beswick, who broke his hand in a goal circle melee.
With the subs bench depleted entirely, things were looking bad for the Varsity boys. However, after some slick midfield buildup, Ben “Ginger Beards Are Back” Walsh managed to wrong-foot the New World goalie and smoked a spectacular diving reverse to put Challenge in the lead. That goal was a turning point in the match, with the Challenge midfield of Nick, Mehul, and Rich tearing up the New World defence, and the fullbacks and halves holding the black and yellow strikers at bay.
Challenge had a narrow 1-0 lead at half time, and knew that the 2nd half could be one of the toughest 35mins of hockey they had ever played, with no available subs and a very fired up New World side. However the beginning of the half brought yet more of the champagne hockey from earlier, with the forwards making repeated attacks into the opposition 25’, and the strong screening reducing New World to long, marginal passing.
The pressure mounted, and eventually another goal was added to the tally with Mitchell Woodhouse making the most of a miscued pass into the circle and some terrible judgement from the New World keeper. This goal fired up the senior team even further and resulted in some frayed tempers and a sin-binning. Kieren “Goal Celebrations Are For Fags” Sisam made the most of this with a magnificent deflection off a long ball beating the keeper altogether, in one of the most spectacular goals in the history of the competition.
The final score of 3-0 not only reflected the heart and determination of the Challenge players, but also made history, as no Challenge side (or its equivalent) have ever beaten New World.
Friday, May 29, 2009
No games Queens Birthday weekend
There are no club games Queens Birthday, enjoy the long weekend. Don’t forget to get in a bit of fitness work to make up for it!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
2009 Trial Dates
The hockey season is almost here again, it’s time to dust off the hockey stick, clean the mouthguard and get back on the field!
Trial dates for 2009 are as follows:
Mens Trials
Sat 28th Feb 12.30 - 3pm at St Pauls Collegiate
Wed 4th March 5.00pm - 7.00pm at St Pauls Collegiate
Sun 8th March 12.00 - 3pm at Gallagher Hockey Centre
Womens Trials
Sat 28th Feb 2.30pm - 5pm at St Pauls Collegiate
Wed 4th March 6.30pm - 8.30pm at St Pauls Collegiate
Sun 8th March 9.30am - 12.30pm at Gallagher Hockey Centre
Remind your friends and help spread the word! Bring all your equipment ready to play game situations as well as both a light and dark shirt.
Also, keep Saturday 14 March free as we are organising our yearly pre-season exchange with the Mahurangi Hockey Club from North Harbour. It promises to be a good day of hockey with an exciting social event that evening (more details to come!).
Coaching:
There are several coaching positions available within the club. In particular we are looking for a coach for the premier womens team, who were very successful last year (Intercity and Waikato champions). If you are interested in coaching (or co-coaching) a team this season, please e-mail president@varsityhockey.co.nz, and indicate which level you’d be most comfortable at.
Umpiring:
Some teams also require umpires for the season. If you have any umpiring experience, or even just an interest (there are umpiring courses available) and you would like to be a part of the club then please get in touch!
Any enquiries can be directed to secretary@varsityhockey.co.nz