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| Hockey Girls 3rd Team 'Blog' |
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Tuesday 15th March v St. Mary's Lost 6-0 Player of the Match - Lucy Whitehead
Eagle House 2 Edgeborough 3 This was a closely contested game and on occasions there were flashes of good hockey skills from both sides. We had the benefit of being able to practise the skills and passing for a good half an hour as the opposition's coach was stuck in traffic, and to be honest not all of out=r players made the most of this time. They have to realise that the more that they practise the more readily will those skills be available in the game situation. Moving the feet to pass the ball enables stronger and more accurate passing, and it is often laziness that concedes possession. When we lose possession, we must show more heart and determination to chase back to win back the ball or to cover those coming up in defence. We deservedly took an early lead after a goal mouth scramble, but almost immediately allowed the opposition to level the score as we rather stood and watched. The game moved from end to end and into the second half before Edgeborough, who were passing the ball more strongly took the lead. This time it was Eagle House who came quickly back to level the scores. Five minutes before the end, Edgeborough scored the winning goal, probalbly deservedly, as we did not make the most of our chances to score. When in the D we must shoot at the goal quickly and accurately. Lucy had a good game in midfield and Ella was strong at the back. All the other players contributed something at some stage, but there must be more consistency in your work rate and much more determination to win the game. Make the most of the training sessions and we will see what happens next time. Eagle House 2 Holme Grange 0 There are days when taking games is not the greatest fun, and there are days like today when we entertained one of three competent and competitive sides. It was a glorious afternoon and it soon became clear that the new 'astro' will be so much appreciated. From the first whistle both sides tried to play hockey, moving the ball wide on occasions, although too often we tried to drive down the centre rather than use the width of the pitch to the best effect. Tianna was superbly strong at the back, stopping and then passing into space through the weak side of the opposition. Louisa and Maria combined well on occasions but too often were drawn infield to make it overcrowded and difficult to move forward. Lucy generally controlled the ball well, but do look wide, Lucy, to release the ball. Lucinda started quietly but had a storming second half showing the determination and hard work that I expect from all our players all the time. We cannot stand and watch and expect the ball to be served up for us. We must work harder off the ball making covering tackles when we have lost possession, and looking for space in attack. Daisy and Ella contributed well in defence making few mistakes but when we have the ball, you must become the link as we move the ball up field. So it was a lovely afternoon in many ways and both sides played some excellent hockey at times. Thank you, Holme Grange. As the headmaster said in assembly, we need to make the most of the coaching sessions, starting on time and working hard to improve the individual skills that teamwork requires. Many years ago, I was told that unless I trained in practices as if I was playing in a match, I would not make the team. Perhaps there are some who should take this on board. The most important improvement you need to make is the move and pass to the right of the defending player. We will continue.
Saturday 2nd October v St. George's College, Weybridge Lost 11-0 Player of the Match: Lucy Whitehead A tough match, but we must not let the opposition dictate how we play the game. The pressure put upon the team on Saturday afternoon seemed to make EH forget their match play and so placed the ball straight at the opposition. Last week we took the ball wide onto their weak side but in this game we played it straight up the middle and so it was intercepted. With their superior stick skills and our loss of momentum, it seemed easy for St. George’s College to bypass our defence and score. Halftime score was 5-0. The second half was much of the same with EH all dropping back in defence and so not having anyone up to take the ball up. There were some good individual performances; Lucy as CM demonstrated some good stick work in regaining possession of the ball but must remember to send it out to the wing, Maria’s who’s skills are improving all the time, Tianna who loves to attack the oncoming ball but must always look where she is placing the ball – great own goal Tianna! A major plus with this team is that they did not give up but kept battling on until the final whistle. Better play this week girls!
Tuesday 28th September 2010 V St Mary's Won 2 - 1 Elisa (1) Maria (1) Coach’s Player of the Match: The Team What a fantastic result! Not only did the girls display a great improvement in their stick skills but they really played together as a team. Right from the start there was a determination to win the ball, led by Lucy as centre mid. Daisy and Tianna formed a great partnership communicating and working well in defence to stop any ball advancing towards Clare in the goal. We worked the ball well up the field remembering to go to the right and get the ball out to Elisa on the wing. Here she had a few good runs and with Maria to help her in the circle, Elisa put a great shot into the corner of the goal. St. Mary’s fought back and shortly after scored a great shot of their own making the scores level going into half-time. We persevered in the second half and even though legs were tiring the team did not give up having about three quarters of the play. Lucy kept badgering in the centre, winning many a ball off her opponent, and with great stick work pushed it through to Maria and Elisa who set up many attack. Unlike the last game, here the forwards did not give up and kept pushing the ball closer to the goal. At last their grit and tenacity paid off with a smashing goal from Maria, ably backed up by Lucie, Lucy and Alisa. I am so proud of this team who have really taken on board what has been asked of them. It was entertaining game to watch with accurate passes, neat stick control and a good use of space but the main component was that they worked together as a TEAM Well done everyone and thank you to the Mummies who came along to support.
Wednesday 15th September v Cranleigh Lost 4-0 Coach’s Player: Kitty Allum
Team: Kitty Allum ©, Miriam Dewes, Maria Eiziguierra, Lucinda Brooker, Daisy Walker, Tianna Larson, Sasha Bodanenko, Claire Chummun GK For a first outing this was a valiant effort. They faced a side who were technically and physically stronger but EH did not give up. In defence Kitty led by example meeting every ball with confidence and clearing it away but unfortunately we did not have the pace or skill to breakthrough Cranleigh defenders.
Lucie displayed some good stick work in the centre, along with Sasha whose enthusiasm was tremendous. The second half saw a couple of good runs up the wing but we need to have a determined attack to get the ball into the goal. This was a good first outing for Maria who only picked up a stick last week. Daisy played extremely well for her first match at EH out on the wing then as a back. Her accuracy at stopping the ball really helped the team keep the opposition score down in the second half. Lots and lots to work on but I was very pleased with all their effort and determination.
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