Sutho determination. Matt Staples’ great picture from the Sutho v Sutho U11B clash
Apologies from your editor, folks. Late this week because of an excursion to Canberra.
We had big crowds at Sutho last Saturday, kicking off the morning with the usual intense game between our U11B teams in the first of two Sutho v Sutho junior clashes. The second, U15 game, was played with the same determination and good sportsmanship.
There was a big crowd on the hill and the balcony to enjoy the games and the fine winter morning.
The crowds began building up in the early afternoon as dedicated Sutho fans rolled in for the first grade game against Uni. Kookaburras Blake Govers in his first game for Sutho and Jack Hayes in his first at home for the year – along with Kieran Govers, who graced the national men’s team with distinction for many years – were excellent to watch. As Craig Turner’s images show, they got heaps of top quality effort from their team mates. It was a Sutho show – Matt Bennet’s triple was tops.
On to the match reports. Thank you to Matt Staples, Craig Turner and Tony O’Leary for their great pictures contributions.
Men
1st grade. Sutho 4 Syd Uni 2.
Although not high scoring game it was a great spectacle watching our three Australian players lining up for the club with Kieran leading the way with the sheer commitment and tenacity he’s known for.
Both Jack Hayes and Blake Govers played their first games for Sutho this year. The goal Blake scored was a scorcher. It is a welcome addition to our playing ranks and we hope both Jack and Blake will play many years with us and inspire our younger players.
The game seesawed for a while with us having yet another slow start and going 1 goal down. We remedied that and our goal scoring machine Matt Bennett scoring another 3.
It was a gutsy performance against a team which just wouldn’t go away and full marks to Sydney Uni for their strong game against us. Compared to last week where we converted over 50% of our corners, this week went down to none.
The Sydney Uni goal keeper seemed to want to stop anything coming at him.
Next week is a bye followed by another home game on 20 July at 2 pm I believe TBA. Another opportunity to see our Aussie guys in action again against Gordon/ Nth Sydney. They will then fly back to Perth.
Please remember the opportunity to all our juniors to attend our junior clinic on Thursday 18 July from 9.00 am – 12.30 pm. It will be led by both Blake Govers & Jack Hayes and offers a unique opportunity to learn some skills from the best.
It will wind up with a sausage sizzle and soft drink to finish.
B & F: Alex Shaw 1, Kieran Govers 2, Matt Bennett 3. Goals: Matt Bennett 3, Blake Govers 1.
2nd grade Sutho 5 Briars 1
Last Saturday on a beautiful day to play hockey, our boys kicked off the men’s games at home against fourth placed Briars. The last time we met Sutherland had a resounding 4-1 win.
After the previous week, where we can only say we came out of the game with 3 points, our team was eager to play a good competitive game of hockey and regain some momentum going into the back end of the season.
The game commenced with Briars having our team on the back foot early, pinning us deep into our defensive half.
After some strong defence from Sutho, we eventually broke away and gained some field position of our own. Holding our patience with the ball and with quality ball movement we penetrated Briars circle gaining positive outcomes on most occasions.
Eventually the scoring was opened by Sutho midway through the first quarter. Not long after we converted a second goal. Briars seemed in all sorts with Sutherland eager to continue scoring.
As the game progressed, we wanted to ensure our intensity and hunger to win didn’t fall short as the score tipped ever more in our favour.
After a dominant performance, a small slip in defence saw us concede one goal deep into the 4th quarter, but alas for Briars the game was too far gone, as we stormed home with a 6 -1 win, seeing our team sit even safer amongst the top of the table.
Points: 3 Joe Huston, 2 Michael Sharkey, 1 Mitchell Shipp. Goals: 3 Harry Roberts, Shayne Smith, Zac Nyrhinen, Angus Callinan.
3rd grade Sutho 1 Briars 1
With such a tight mid-ladder in the PL3 league, every result could mean the difference between 4th and 8th place. Going up against Briars on the weekend, who sit one point behind on the ladder, the team had to adjust to their new home timeslot of 5pm.
The adjustment proved difficult, with a poor warm-up and first 5 minutes resulting in an early goal to Briars off a deflection from outside the 25. The first quarter continued with Sutho scrambling in defence and creating few attacking opportunities further up the field.
The much needed kick-up-the-backside-talk at quarter time seemed to help, and we managed to gain our composure through the 2nd and 3rd quarters, creating more opportunities in attack and a solid defence.
Like Briars, however, we struggled to gain enough momentum to get any real chances in the circle – resulting in the majority of the game being played end to end.
With Paul receiving a 5-minute yellow in the last quarter for “aggressively” unhooking his stick resulting in injury to the opposing team, Sutho managed to gain their momentum, with Matt beating the keeper in a 1-on-1, and slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Trying to avoid the one-all draw, both teams desperately tried to get another goal in the dying minutes of the game – Briars’ chances were heightened by receiving a short in the last few seconds. Luckily we managed to keep it out, leaving the game with a 1-1 draw.
Through the mysteries of the ladder, and several draws during the round, 3rd Grade managed to keep their 4th position on the ladder.
B&F: 3 Wade Tonna, 2 Kian Johnson, 1 Matt Tyler. Goal: 1 Matt Tyler.
4th grade Sutho 2 Briars 1
Well, what can you say about 4th grade. They won, of course. Then in came not one, but two match reports from Mark Bonnici and Piles. Then, not one, but two galleries of pictures, taken by Tony O’Leary and Craig Turner. Thanks, everyone. In an Australian Wisdom of Solomon exercise, CT’s pix go first because he won the toss.
So for us on the outer sidelines – lean back and enjoy!!
Report 1
A much needed win means our 4th grade team hold on to 6th place in what has grown into a tight competition.
Next week we face 7th placed Northern Districts and a very real opportunity to move into 5th place.
Best and fairest: 3 Jimmy Northwood, 2 Oliver Turner, 1 Isaac Olsen.
Report 2
Sutherland 2 Briars 1
For a change, 4th grade played at home at a time that wasn’t 5pm – we were blessed with the premier slot of 3:30pm, directly after 1st grade.
We started the first half strongly, controlling the ball well. Huon scored his first goal of the game by roofing a deflection, only to repeat the feat later in that half.
In the second half we stayed in the game but let in one goal. We fought hard to keep a determined Briars out and managed to come away with the win. Well done team.
B&F – 3 pts: Jimmy Northwood, 2 pts: Ollie Turner, 1 pt: Isaac Olsen.. Goals – Huon Bollard 2.
5th grade
No report, but Tony O’Leary sent in a beaut gallery. C’mon fifths…
8th grade Sutho 4 Manly 1
This was our second outing against Manly, who are a point above us on the table. We knew this was going to be an even game.
As we lined up in the middle to welcome our opponents we count up and note they have 9 players! Sydney traffic hits again!
We started the game well using width, quick passing and our numbers. Pivoting around Sean in the middle it was a good first half. The whole team putting in a solid effort.
We had a few attempts at goal to finish the first half 2 -0 with goals to Jordan and Scott out of general play.
As the game progressed, more of the Manly team turn up and about part way into the second half they have the bare 11. This didn’t hinder our approach and with the scoreline we had the confidence to keep pressing.
An error on Manly’s part was rewarded with a penalty flick. Mark steps up to take it.
We so want this extra buffer goal. Mark seems confident, the whistle goes and whatever happened will stay with Mark and the keeper as Marks attempt sent the keeper left while the ball trickled over the right. I really mean trickled over the line….. well done Mark. We are 3-0.
Manly have a few runs at us but nothing serious of note except one. A crossover of our defence left Rory to defend a shot – which, unfortunately, he thought it was not on goal so left it and it went in the goal.
Play continues but we are still controlling the game well when we had numbers in their circle and the ball goes back to Howie who controls it and then slams it into the goal.
At 4-1 the game ends. We are well happy with that result and everyone’s effort. Our games are truly a team effort and a pleasure to be part of.
Best and fairest: 3 Caleb Nieuwendyk, 2 Jordan Wood and 1 Mark Bayley. Goals: Jordon Wood, Scott Calder, Mark Bayley and Adam Howard.
Women
SEHA Women’s Premier Grade
Sutho 2 Esquires 2
In this first round of July we were facing Esquires, with whom we share the top of the ladder. The top six in the competition are ranked very close together so every point will help us secure our playoff spot.
As expected, it was a very physical game from start to finish. We played better hockey this week, with good combinations and a great work ethic. Our conversion rate could have been slightly better, especially on short corners.
We’ll continue to work on this leading into the final rounds of regular competition. A special mention to superstar Ashton for scoring a drag flick!
Player points: Ashton Waters 3, Iris Vanhecke 2, Clare Callinan 1. Goals: Iris Vanhecke 1, Ashton Waters 1.
Metro
Under 17 – Sutho 5 Briars 0
On Friday our under 17s journeyed out to Greenhills to play first placed Briars. The last time we met we fought hard for a 2 – 2 draw.
As the game commenced, our intensity from the start really caught Briars off guard. As we played a more controlled passing game of hockey, Briars we keen on playing counterattacking hockey with pace.
Our marking, which was an area for improvement over the last few weeks, was the strongest it has been this season.
As the game developed, our team started to play wider and cut back in using the wing halves and attacking midfield more, creating 2 on 1s and overlapping plays to find our strikers.
This eventually led to our first goal which started wide and was cut into the circle where we converted our chance. As the game progressed, we faced heavy retaliation from Briars, but we stuck true to our marking and our work off the ball to keep them scoreless as we went into half time with the lead and plenty of positives to discuss.
The second half started, and it was much of the same form our under 17s, smart hockey with fantastic ball movement, especially on our counterattack.
Going from stick to stick, we netted a few more goals to see the game out 5-0. It was a very dominant display from our team with fantastic hockey played across the entire pitch.
Points: 3 Lachie Prentice, 2 Rylee Miller, 1 Brenna Croker. Goals: Hayden Neale, Blake Hernandez, Charlie Johnson, Elliot Stark, Angus Callinan.
U15 Sutho 4 vs. Briars 3
Pictures: Rory Staples
During the week leading up to our game, with players out due to the U13s State Champs and family holidays, it didn’t look like we were going to be able to field a full team on Friday night.
Luckily, with some last-minute fill-ins from the other U13s and U15s teams, we were able to make a mark against Briars.
The contribution of those playing up was seen straight away – within minutes of being put on, Holly from the U13s scored our first goal off an awesome breakaway in the mid-field.
This set the pace for Sutho in the first half, showing great ball movement and possession, ending the half 3-1 up against Briars.
With an early short corner in the second half, we managed to convert and score.
Unfortunately, with the 4-1 lead, Sutho took their pace off, and Briars started to regain control of the game. With some well-worked set-plays, Briars managed to gain multiple short corners, and while we managed to save most, they ended up putting two in the back of the net.
Luckily our defence held out, including a stress–inducing short at the end of the game, resulting in a 4-3 win to Sutho.
Massive thanks to Fletcher and Angus from the U15 Geckos, as well as Lachlan and Holly from the U13 Geckos for playing up – couldn’t have done it without you.
B&F: 2 Grace Matthews, 2 Sohan Mavji, 2 Noah Palmer. Goals: 1 Holly Antilla 2 Noah Palmer 1 Isaac Olsen.
SEHA Juniors
U15 Sutho Thorny Devils 0 Sutho Blue Tongues 2
Sutho v Sutho is always a great game, and today’s was a tough one for the Thorny Devils and Blue Tongues, with both teams understaffed. The result was a 10 player a side battle for turf and ball.
Unfortunately for the Thorny Devils, the Blue Tongues held a better field position frame and had us running all over the park trying to keep up.
Never mind, we had our fair share of the ball and were unlucky to miss two very ‘energetic’ shots on goal which could have equalised the round, but both were great efforts nonetheless.
The reluctant star of the day was quite vocal about his appointment as goalie this week, but proved to be an absolute hero, booting the ball away from our goal countless times and even managed a top corner stick save. Thanks Alex Russell for your brilliant efforts in goals today, it would have been a bigger margin without your excellent performance.
The entire team recognised Alex this week with all of the available ‘best and fairest’ points going his way.
Enjoy the two-weeks break, and rest up for the run to the end of the season
Go Sutho!!
Best and fairest: 6 pts : Alex Russell.
U11a Geckos 2 Glebe Backs 1
Having already drawn a game and lost a game to the Glebe Backs the Geckos were keen to get a win against them and they started the game ready to do just that.
Thankfully our defence didn’t let in any early goals as we’ve been prone to do and the game was a scrappy, hard-fought battle right up until half time with the score at nil all.
The Geckos started the second half just as they did the first and some good passing and constant pressure on Glebe finally saw Julian slot through our first goal. Luke followed it up with another a few minutes later to make it 2 nil.
We kept our defences up and had a few more unsuccessful shots on goal but Glebe managed to sneak a goal in to make the score 2-1.
It seemed like hours before the game finally finished and the Geckos came away with the win they were looking for. Hopefully this will keep them keen to continue playing well and grabbing a few more wins.
Special mention must be given to our goalkeeper Bethany who, through injury, has been keeping goals for the last 3 weeks. She’s made some brilliant saves over those 3 weeks but is looking forward to teaming up with Kaylee again in the backline after the holidays.
Best and fairest: 3 Julian, 2 Kaylee, 1 Bethany. Goals: Julian and Luke.
U11B Sutho Blue Tongues 0 Sutho Thorny Devils 6
Thanks to Matt Staples for his pictures
Today’s game was a tough one.
Although we were defeated 6-0 by the Thorny Devils today, both teams played extremely well. All our players put in a solid effort throughout the entire game.
Our goalie for this week was Sam who did an excellent job stopping a lot of the balls going in.
So congratulations Thorny Devils on your win.
This week our best and fairest goes to Georgia 3 pts, Caitlin 2 and Jack 1. Congratulations guys, great job.
And a shout out to Jack from all the Blue Tongues: Happy Birthday buddy!!!
