We’re back. Or at least some of us are, with our Masters and Metro teams onto the field last weekend for the first Sutho matches of the season.
It was a landmark with Sutherland Masters and Legends teams becoming part of our club for the first time. The Masters got into things with a cracking 9-0 win over Easts, following up their unbeaten pre-season.
On Friday night our U15 and U17 Metro teams waded into action. U15 pictures thanks to the multi-talented Luke Domrow.
And, don’t miss the pictures at the end of this report showing what Sutho kids think of this weather. Thanks, Natalie Krepp for the pictures.
Masters
Sutho 9 Easts 0
The build-up to the business end of 2021 was quite long. It was a six weeks pre-season comp we won undefeated.
In the first game, we took on Easts, who went very close to knocking us out of last year’s semi-final.
But the rebuilding of our team over the offseason saw us leading them 4-0 after the first quarter. There were some wonderful goals to Geoff Hayes and Andrea, topping off some good midfield build-up.
We went on with the job to put them away 9-0. Even though we had a few out with injury, we are looking good going forward.
With Will’s speed and strength in midfield and the silky finishing skills of all the forwards – including new boy Sean – it was a comfortable win.
We have a couple of weeks off now so we would like to wish everyone an enjoyable Easter break.
Metro
U17 Sutho 1 Ryde Tigers 4
For our first run as a team, our 1-4 loss didn’t represent how we played.
Ryde had 3 runaway goals within the first 15 minutes but once we moved in on their goalscorer and kept him out of the goal play, we managed to keep the rest of the first half and most of the second half scoreless for Ryde.
The second half was much more improved than the first, with players becoming more comfortable with each other, passing the ball around and even having a few shots at goal. Noah, our only scorer for the night, scored a great goal in the second half off a short corner rebound – great work, Noah.
Talking to each other on the field will see an improvement in our gameplay as well as keeping up with our fitness. The gruelling pre-season training sessions that Shayne has put you through so far will have their benefits throughout the season.
Keep up the good job, everyone.
Best & Fairest: 3 Sohan Mavji, 2 Blake Shaw and 1 Jett Austin. Goal: Noah Palmer.
U15 Sutho Metro 4 Ryde 0
It was an exciting first game for our Under 15 Metro team this season as we faced up again the always competitive Ryde.
On a very chilly and drizzly evening at Green Hills, the game commenced with both sides fighting hard for momentum and control of this eagerly anticipated game.
Playing a relatively new formation for our team, we took some time to find our position and our strengths through the first five or so minutes. Ryde, as always, looked to play a fast-paced pressing style of hockey – trying to force our team into making errors.
Our formidable defensive line held off the early Ryde barrage, which allowed our central and attacking midfield to gain momentum and possession going forward into our striking line.
We adapted well and started to play a more counterattacking style – as Ryde seemed content on hitting the ball long, hoping to find their teammates; our players boldly stepped up to intercept and make crucial tackles on which we built our counterattack.
The game finished with a rather promising 4-0 victory – and a lot of positive signs in terms of our defensive strengths, ball movement, game awareness and many more points of interest.
Best and fairest: 3 Chris Goodman 2 Isiah Vassallo 1 Oisin Perry
Rain, what rain?
Keen-eyed observers will observe that these pictures are not from the games. Too wet, too cold, players too young. However, Natalie Krepp got these great shots at the eventually abandoned U13A trials at Moorebank on Saturday. If nothing else, it’s proof positive that kids love rain. And also, how lucky we are to play hockey on synthetic pitches.
