WA Over 40's - 2013 Match Reports

Day 3 - Game day 1: WA vs QLD - Friday, September 27, 2013

Well we started out the day with nervous excitement for our first hit out against QLD. It was a sunny day which meant we would have a hard hot game ahead of us. Our goal to kick arse and score early, with this in mind we hit the turf running. Attacking QLD from the get go, we were faster off the ball and strong in the mid field. Robbie our illustrious leader beat the opposition to the ball every time. Bugs dazzled in the forward line menacing in the attacking circle, so close to converting a goal in the first half only to have the goalie slide in and block the shot. We continued to have opportunities but we were a bit too eager to score and rushed a bit in the circle. QLD's heads were spinning they stacked their defence line managing to keep us scoreless in the first half. 

In the second half our defence were solid, consistently stopping QLD in their tracks and transferring the ball, back into the midfield for some great movement. 
Strong over the ball and continuing to attack the QLD side some of our players (Jules & Tonks) thought they were back in their 20's sliding down for tackles and bouncing back up (maybe this won't happen in our third and fourth game haha). We continued to dominate the game as QLD ran out of legs yet couldn't put our many attempts in the back of the net. 
All in all a great start to the tournament with a new look 40's team no major injuries and our goalie only touched the ball twice! Lets hope we can increase this intensity tomorrow when we play VIC. 

Result: WA 0 - QLD 0 

Day 4 - Game day 2: WA vs VIC - Saturday, September 28, 2013

We started the day with a 8.30am pool session which was a bit chilly for some but great for the old muscles Everyone is pumped for the dockers grand final today however we are all a bit sad that our game is at the same time as the bounce down. Into the coaster & tarago we piled with our hockey bags pumped for a win against the VICs. From the whistle the VICs were quick to attack and move the ball around in our defensive 25. We gathered ourselves and turned the ball around sending it down the other end. Rocco made some great leads early on the left side opening up the space to set up opportunities in the circle stretching the VICs defence. The VIC side popped a great ball down our left side which lead to a forward run. They had numbers and with an unfortunate mistrap, there were 2 against the goalie and VIC slipped one past resulting in 1-0 just 10minutes into the game. We continued the middle of the half defending and keeping them out. In the last 8mins there was a turn around in intensity from WA and we were on fire. 

At half time we refocused and with determination went back out there to finish off the game with this intensity and fire in our belly. After a few close calls in our defensive circle Sonia (our goalie) stayed calmed and kept the VICs scoreless throughout the second half.We kept attacking the VICs to no avail with missed opportunities just slipping by. Tonks on the right half was like a magician appearing from nowhere to carve up the opposition and stop them in their tracks. The ball was like a magnet always finding itself on her stick again & again. When we had the ball we had intensity but just couldn't get that little ball in the back of the net. Our coach "Reicky" was wearing a hole in the turf pacing up and down on edge with every second ticking by. The full time siren sounded the result 0-1. It was a hard fought game and a disappointing blow to our team who were all so hungry for the win. 

Licking our wounds we took off to the beach for a quick recovery session before rushing back to see the Dockers take on Hawthorn. Bugger the VICS! 

Result: WA 0 - VIC 1 

Day 5 - Game day 3: WA vs TAS - Sunday, September 29, 2013

We really need to get a win on the board today and some goals in the net. Everyone is quite amped up today for the game. We line up to take the field with the aim of scoring early and putting Tassie on the back foot. Well 8 minutes into the first half Tassie had a quick run away forcing Sonia (GK) out of the goals to stop the player. The ball came incredibly close to the line where Nads (Nadelle) stopped the ball on the line however the TASSIE striker was there to put it in the back of the net! We lifted out heads and kept attacking throughout the rest of the half really having to fight for any calls our way in our attacking 25. We were unfortunate not to score Bugs(Lauren),Megs,Sammy,Wags(Joanne) & Rocco(Kylie) all put pressure on the TASSIE defence. Half time score 0-1 

We took to the field again with the instructions to slow down and take our time in the circle. The umpire threw the ball onto the field hitting Bugs in the wrist leaving a huge lump, we were hoping the umpire would start blowing the whistle in our favour due to feeling guilty for injuring one of our players. Sadly for us we were all so eager to covert a goal that we were caught out a bit high and the TASSIE side had a quick run away 2 on 1 against the goalie Sonia came out but they slipped another goal by her. 

With the score 0-2 we kept our heads in the game, we persisted to attack and attack keeping up the pressure. Megs lead to space just outside the circle receiving the ball she was on her own she weaved around the top passing the ball to Sammy moving into the spot to receive the pass off and a nice high ball just hitting the inside left post hitting the back of the net HOORAY!!!! Anyone would of thought it was the winning goal with the celebration on and off the field. Robbie (Robyn) settled the team and it was back to business we still had time to turn this game around. This was just what the team needed and the intensity on the field reflected this. TASSIE had no where to go we were all over them, with continuing pressure we were given a penalty corner we went for the "Shiraz" otherwise known as the trap & hit a beautiful ball in from Scottie (Anita) saw Bugs deflect the ball into the net. The score was even 2-2 with another 8mins on the clock WA dug deep and kept attacking the TASSIE team so close but not quite getting our third goal by the full time siren. 

A great come back by us in hot conditions something we hope to build on with our game against NSW on Tuesday after a rest day on Monday 

Day 5 News Pool session for sore muscles warmer day today 27o not looking forward to a 12pm game off to the stadium for our game against TAS 

6.30pm dinner with the 55's women in the hotel a great night of fun and laughs with a special quiz for our virgin players in the 40's Meg, Julie, Jill, Nadelle, Julie-Ann, Sarah And a great impromptu performance of a stranded scuba diver by Kate Tonks & Sammy Rankin 

Result: WA 2 - TAS 2

WA vs NSW - Tuesday, October 1, 2013

We have to win this game against NSW to put ourselves into the semifinals play off. With a team meeting in the morning to fine tune our attack and defence structure we knew what we had to do to win this game. Some of us have chosen Katie Perry's "roar" as our theme song to get us focused for our games so singing along to this on the way to the stadium put everyone in an upbeat mood. 

We won the toss and hit the turf running. We marked up hard on NSW shutting down their ability to move the ball around us and attack. 
We had the early advantage attacking and switching the play we were definitely in control of this game. We were given 2 penalty corners and on the second one we used our lemonchello option (slip left). Jules did a great flick up in the air which landed in the net. 
15 minutes into the game we were one up 1-0 Goal scorer Julie De Silva 

NSW continued to press forward but we held strong intercepting passes and trapping it down. 
With 10 minutes left of the first half we had a series of unfortunate events. Wags (Joanne) was given a green card, Robbie (Robyn) received another one only 15 sec later (there was confusion what this was given for). We were left with 9 on the ground. NSW pressured us in this time like bees to a honey pot all over us on the circle. 
We were unlucky to have a corner called against us then more events unfolded 1st whistle a warning for breaking 2nd whistle Tonks (Kate) sent for breaking the line 3rd whistle Megs sent for breaking the line, leaving Sonia (GK) and 2 defenders on a penalty corner! 
With 8 attackers on the circle and 3 defenders running off the line (including the GK) NSW had a strong hit on the ball, our GK got a pad to it but it came off the top landing in the net. The score now 1-1. 

We sighed relief when our carded players returned to the field. This change of intensity continued and WA were fighting hard to keep NSW out for the remainder of the half - we were all very relieved when the half time siren sounded. 

Reicky (coach) grounded us all we know what we had to do P.I.N.T.S ( a crazy acronym for our tournament that Reicky created) so we head back out on the field to turn the game around. 
From the whistle we are focused and patient putting pressure on NSW and turning around the play in the midfield. 
NSW were feeling the pressure sending the ball long over our defence line the backs staying calm and transferring the ball across the field. 
We had two situations when the ball was mistrapped in the defensive circle however our GK and backs stayed calm in the face of fear and prevented NSW from taking advantage of these (big sigh of relief and a lot of yelling by Sonia our GK). 
We continued to stay strong and turn the ball around. Applying pressure for the rest of the second half we were unfortunate not to convert a goal, this left us with our third draw of the tournament. Mixed emotions really as we have only had one loss but we are sitting dangerously close to 5th on the leader board. We collect our things and head home for our much anticipated ice baths. 

Result: WA 1 - NSW 1 

WA vs SA - Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Goal scorers: First Half - Robyn Himbeck 2. Second Half - Sarah Zappelli 

Result: WA 3 - SA 0

Semi-Final WA vs VIC - Friday, October 4, 2013

So we were feeling excited that we have made it into the semifinals play off and we are all very confident that we can beat VIC. Over the duration of the tournamant we have only lost one game and that was to VIC 1-0. Our game time isn't until 5.15pm so we spend the day with a early morning pool session followed by rest time, and a team meeting, the weather here in Adelaide is 25o so we are all happy to be playing later in the day, however we are anxious to get the game over and done with. We know what we have to do to win - score more goals than VIC. If it is a draw VIC automoaticaaly progess into the Grand Final as they finished top of the ladder. 

Starting with our dynamic warm up run by our cheeky Sammy we opened the gate, fed the chickens and then closed the gate. All ready to hit the turf and give those VIKKA's hell. From the get go it was intense on the field, the sun just going down but enough to get in the eyes of VIC's goalie on the right side so this is where we started our attack. Getting up in her face hoping she would not see the balls coming in her direction. Our strikers put pressure on VIC early with Bugs (Lauren) stealing a ball off a defensive free we could see them thinking twice about any decisions they made. We pressured hard for the first 10 minutes and manned up "no space, no time " (another famous saying by our illustrious leader Riecky). Then we played hard and smart for the next 10 minutes and then the next 8 minutes, before we saw WA get a penalty corner. It was quickly shut down by the VICs and they got a quick break away on us swarming numbers into our defensive circle. We tackled hard, some harder than others when Dodgy ( Narelle ) went down on a reverse side tackle and we had a penalty stroke called against us. Robbie (Robyn) gathered the team and whispered calming words in their ears whilst Sonia (GK) stared fear in the eyes as she went to war with the VIC striker; we all held our breath then cheered as the ball missed the goal bouncing back off the post, we could all breath again phew. 
The half time siren came and it was 0-0. 

the game was intense and we had the fitness to run over VIC in the second half, taking on this challenge we returned to the field to take the fight to the VIC's. We weren't going to make this easy for them! It was a very even game with both sides having goal scoring opportunities. WA was unlucky on a few occasions with the ball bouncing off the post or just missing the goals. However we kept persisting and attacking the VICs with the hope that one would finally find the back of the net. 
Intensity was high and everyone was running their guts out. We saw some interesting foot work from Megs who deliberately stopped a passing ball with her foot - this saw her get a green card. Although you would have never known we were playing with one girl down as we continued to switch the ball around and put the VIC's under pressure. 
It would so happen that Jules (Julie) would receive a stop of play and the umpire pulling out her cards she went the the 'yellow ' this supposedly being her second card, it was quick thinking on Megs behalf when she ran up to her and stood beside Jules we are twins (identical twins). The umpire realised she was seeing double, had a quick laugh and pulled out a green. This was a nice break in the intensity of the game when everyone had a small chuckle. The clock continued to count down and WA kept trying and trying. 
Unfortunately for us the final siren sounded and we all realise our opportunity to play in the grand final was over. The crowd roared with support for our gutsy effort; the VIC supporters cheered for us as a sign of respect. Exhausted and devastated we made our way off the field. With the unhappy thought of having to jump in an ice bath and play another game tomorrow for 3rd and 4th against TASSIE. 

Result: WA 0 - VIC 0 

3rd / 4th Playoff: WA vs TAS - Saturday, October 5, 2013

We awake with a groan as we have to prepare for a 8am pool session, followed by a team breakfast this is just what the doctor ordered putting us in a positive state if mind for our play off at 2pm today. 

It was a hot day on the turf 26o but we all know its hotter than that when you are running your heart out. We had quick rotations to keep everyone hydrated. When the half siren went the score was 0-0. we can't let this slip out of our fingers; we are fitter than them so we we get back out there to continue the fight against TASSIE. 

We were given a penalty corner everyone was hungry to convert this one, Zappa (Sarah) was well positioned off the goalies pads and quick thinking saw her pop it over the goalie as she went down swish! into the back of the net. 
Yipee what a feeling, what a relief! 
We definitely got the taste for a win converting another short corner 10 min later thanks to Robbies (Robyn's ) rocketing hit as receiver from the top of the circle. 
It was at this time of the second half WA up 2-0 with 8 minutes on the clock, the game wasn't over yet with TAS increasing intensity and fighting back. They managed to convert a goal sending us into a defensive game we didn't want to see TASSIE even up the score in the final minutes. We had this win but had to keep our heads. 

Lucky for us Jill was our secret weapon on the bench, having injured herself early in the tournament she was recovering on the side line just for such an occasion, she did a good job keeping calm and tackling hard along with Scottie, (Anita) Tonks, (Kate) Dodgy, (Narelle) & Sonia (GK) showing the opposition WA have more heart and grunt. 
There was no penetrating the defensive wall we had in place. As the final siren sounded we all celebrated and sighed relief it was a well deserved Win. 
'That was AWESOME' - third overall and hungry for more next year. 

Result: WA 2 - TAS 1  

Goal scorers: Sarah Zappelli 1, Robyn Himbeck 1