| After the Finals | 22/09/2009 |
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| A-Grade DDs v Joondalup In a game where Joondalup on their own admission failed to fire, DDs walked away with the win 2 – 0 to become the Wanneroo Districts Hockey Association A-Grade Champions for 2009. DDs lost only one game and had only eight goals scored against them all year so they thoroughly deserved the result. Luke Richmond scored a goal for DDs in his last performance before leaving DDs, the Association and Australia to take up residence in Norway. Matt Pike of DDs was selected as Best on Ground by the umpires who were Chris Worth and Adrian Gabriel of 'Heights. B-Grade Alexander Heights v Bullsbrook Alexander Heights turned up in numbers and showed they meant business from the start. Peter Vicario scored their first goal early in the game from a cracking hit on the top of the circle. That was followed by two more before half time including one from a penalty flick that fooled the Bullsbrook goalie by its lack of pace (and height). Although short of players (again) Bullsbrook didn’t give up and scored the only goal of the second half to go down 3-1. Best on ground was Andre Gabriel. C-Grade Landsdale v Hillarys Neither Landsdale or Hillarys was able to score in normal time or in the two five minute periods of extra time that followed, so the game was decided on penalty strokes. Although strokes don’t seem to be the fairest way of deciding these things, the game couldn’t go on forever, and it’s what we do. In the end Paige Standen-Burrows the Hillarys goal keeper saved more than Chris Worth could for Landsdale, and after spending the majority of the season bringing up the rear, Hillarys won the game that counted. Over the next few days the results of the Fairest and Best count and the player voted awards will be posted on the website along with the Wanneroo Districts Hockey Association All Stars team. Thank you all for a great year, and the Committee hopes to see you all back in 2010. Keep your eye on your letterbox and the website in early April!! Happy New Year and CU in 2010. | |
| Wanneroo Districts Hockey Association | |
| After the Finals | 15/09/2009 |
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| Well, the Semis certainly provided the crowd with some entertainment on the weekend with all four games won by a single goal. In the early games we saw Joondalup take on Beldon and Bullsbrook play Wanneroo. Bullsbrook once again showed up with barely enough to make a side but on the day it didn’t matter. In a tremendous show of sportsmanship Wanneroo provided Bullsbrook with a spare player while one of the Bullies was off injured, just so the game could continue. They may be regretting this now of course as Bullsbrook went on to win 1-0 with Tom stopping countless goals and Wanneroo butchering almost as many chances themselves. The Joondalup/Beldon match was a free-flowing game which suited Joondalup just a bit more than it did Beldon. Joondalup just got over the line when a Beldon attempt was disallowed in the dying minutes of the game leaving the Beldon side to ponder what could have been. The ‘if only’s carried on late into the night for Matt and his crew while Joondalup celebrated on the veranda. The late game saw the 1 vs 4 match-ups for the A and B grades. Controversy aside, the Macquarie/Alexander Heights game was an incredible match. Underdogs Macquarie pushed Alexander Heights into extra time and narrowly missed getting the golden goal to seal a win. ‘Heights slotted one home at the other end moments later as the Macquarie defenders stepped aside, certain it was hit from outside the circle. Kingsway pushed DDs all the way in the other A-grade encounter, and nearly drew level from a short corner in the last couple of minutes of the game. In the end the difference was a penalty stroke from Matt Pike early in the first half. So this week we see a Challenge Cup rematch between Joondalup and DDs for the A-Grade final; B-Grade has a grand final between the team with the most players and the one with the most forfeits through lack of numbers (Alexander Heights and Bullsbrook); and after enjoying a week’s break, Landsdale and Hillarys go head-to-head for the C-Grade trophy. The doors open for Presentation Night at 7pm with a Spit Roast and dessert from 7.30. Tickets at the door, $25 for members, $50 for non-members. Come and celebrate a great season with your friends and rivals as we recognise some of the standout contributors. Please scroll down for this weeks matchups and game times. For the final time in 2009, CU on Saturday! | |
| Wanneroo Districts Hockey Association | |
| Grand Final Matchups | 14/09/2009 |
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| 19 September 2009 A Grade Grand Final 3.15pm Ground 1 DDs vs Joondalup B Grade Grand Final 1.30pm Ground 1 Alexander Heights vs Bullsbrook C Grade Grand Final 1.30 pm Ground 2 Landsdale vs Hillarys | |
| Wanneroo Districts Hockey Association | |
| After the Game | 10/09/2009 |
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| In what was shaping up to be an interesting final week, the results from early games locked in all the positions on the ladder. Landsdale’s loss to DDs meant they wouldn’t get out of 9th position and will now meet Hillarys in two weeks for the C grade final. And the Wanneroo-Beldon draw put both teams 4 points ahead of their rivals(Macquarie and Kingsway), and kept Bullsbrook safe in 6th position, 1 point ahead of Wanneroo. So the rest of the results (Joondalup 7-1 victors over Macquarie, Bullsbrook 2-2 draw with Kingsway and Alexander Heights 3-1 win over Hillarys) had no effect on the ladder. To create some news, we brought in the analysts to review the finals series: C-Grade Landsdale have a 2-0 record over Hillarys this year although the first win was by forfeit. In their second game, Landsdale just got over the line 2-1 and with Hillarys showing rapid improvement over the last few weeks Landsdale will have their work cut out for them. B-Grade Alexander Heights vs Macquarie – ‘Heights are the clear favourites for the B-grade flag having not lost a game against any of the other sides in the group. Macquarie’s hope rests in repeating their performance the last time these sides met, which ended in a nil-all draw, and hope that Callum can break through for a goal. Macquarie have been searching for an avenue to goal all year and it is now time for someone to step up. Bullsbrook vs Wanneroo – With both sides struggling for numbers at various stages of the season, this could either be a sensational game or a non-event depending on how many players show up. In their two encounters this year the results are a 4-1 win to Bullsbrook and a 4-1 win to Wanneroo so on paper there is nothing in it. Wanneroo have finished the season stronger than Bullsbrook but if the Baby Blues can field a full side they should go into the game as slight favourites. A-Grade DDs vs Kingsway – DDs have won both games against Kingsway this year but their most recent match was a tight contest and a 1-0 result. Rumour has it that Premiership-goalie Leigh is moving back to the goals for the finals which will bolster Kingsway’s defence, but at cost to their forward structure. DDs should be favourites but their horror run of injuries this season may hurt them in this finals series. Joondalup vs Beldon – There’s no love lost between these two sides that’s for sure. Both encounters this year have been hard-fought, resulting in a 3-2 win to Joondalup and a one-all draw. Beldon should be given the honours for the draw however as they didn’t field a full side and were missing their two top goal scorers. We would love to see a goal shoot out between Kyall and Matt, but this match will probably be decided by which side can stop the other sides scorers. Please check out the previous (scroll down) news article for Finals scheduling. For the penultimate time, CU on Saturday! | |
| Wanneroo Districts Hockey Association | |
| Finals Schedule | 08/09/2009 |
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| Semi Finals 12 September 2009 1:45 PM A Grade: Ground 1 Joondalup v Beldon B Grade: Ground 2 Bullsbrook v Wanneroo 3:15 PM A Grade: Ground 1 DDs v Kingsway B Grade: Ground 2 Alexander Heights v Macquarie Grand Finals 19 September 09 1:30 PM C Grade Grand Final: Ground 2 Landsdale v Hillarys B Grade Grand Final Ground 1 3:15 PM A Grade Grand Final Ground 1 For players not involved in Finals who would like one last run for the year there will be a scratch match (or two) organised on the day during the early games. | |
| Wanneroo Districts Hockey Association | |