2008 J. H. WILLIAMS PREMIER HOCKEY LEAGUE

WEEK 2:- Minor Competition

MEN
Mudgeeraba  5        Ballina  0
Waratahs  3        Casuarina  0
Northern Star  4   Mullumbimby  3
Kingscliff  3        East Lismore  0
Alstonville  2        Redbacks  2
Burleigh  3        United  0
Coraki  4        Capri  2
Labrador        Bye                     

Coraki Seize First Blood

Surprising upsets highlight round two J. H. Williams premier hockey league competition.  In Lismore Kingscliff sprung the upset of the year seizing their first win over a goal-less East Lismore.  Ballina and Mudgeeraba both had seven goal turnarounds from the previous week, but it was Mudgee who won convincingly.  And Coraki made the most of their luck accounting for Gold Coast heavyweights Capri.

Evergreen Jason Conte (7 min FG) dominated the attack scoring the only goal of the first half after both teams concentrated their play between the twenty-fives.  While in the second half Scott Gallagher (40 min FG, 63 min PC) exhibited some extraordinary finish to claim two goals.  While Adrian McGrath (70 min PC) last-minute penalty conversion completed Coraki's tally.

Ben Moss and McGrath dominated Coraki's organisation with Moss's cover defence truly sublime throughout the match.  And 'keeper Peter Ryan and youngster Cory Thomas were outstanding as Capri pressured extensively in the second half.

Phil Hancock and Brad Mathers in attack and Shane Cowling in defence toiled without luck for Capri in the first half battling to overcome Coraki's home advantage.  And 'keeper Peter Hollis was outstanding in goals after suffering a debilitating injury in the warmup.

And it was after some of Hollis's heroics that Capri vaulted into the game midway through the second half.  Goals to Grant Putland (55 min FG) and Nathan Dale (59 min FG) allowed Capri to challenge Coraki for a time but was too little too late.

Mudgeeraba coach Paul "Jacko" Gasmire likened their performance to a defiant AFL Collingwood side with their extraordinary eight goal positive turnaround from the previous week.  With the same team that lost 5-2 at Murwillumbah previously a better focus on positive play and consistency proved the difference.  Conversely Ballina coach Tony Meldrum was at a loss to explain Ballina's eight goal negative turnaround.

Mudgee exhibited patience, control and focus were rewarded with goals to Steve Hammond (9 min FG), Jason DeLacy (30 min FG), Cory Tones (56 min PC), Reece Buckingham(57 min FG) and Aaron Griggs (56 min PC).  Miebaka Dede, Hammond and Tones gave Mudgee good structure and organisation which proved to be the decisive edge.

Ballina's Daniel Riley, Mitchell Harley and Sam Davis showed that they were keen to give their team every opportunity in the match.  While in defence Matt Campbell and Tony Porter worked overtime to limit the damage.  However Ballina's recent player riches and some tinkering to the team structure may have proved to be their downfall.

Kingscliff Stun East Lismore

Kingscliff 'keeper Kelvin Gordon set up the win with a herculean performance in both halves to deny some spirited East's attack. And Gordon gained some superb defensive support from Glen Miller who was cock-a-hoop over the extraordinary win.

Henry Prichard (13 min FG) opened the scoring and Marcus Holt (27 min FG) extended the lead.  And the end result of Kingscliff's good fortune was increased frustrations on East's part.  And when Andy Ridgewell (52 min PC) slotted Kingscliff's third goal the green machine had their tail up and never looked like giving up their hard fought position.

East's play in the midfield constantly allowed them to press the Kingscliff defensive twenty-five.  However East's poor decision making, impatience and good defence from Kingscliff left them rueing a match that got away.  Raymond Rodda, Anthony Moss and Jamie Hetherington fought from East's midfield with some success.  And Mat Rodda and Derby Bergan led some of the more promising raids into enemy territory without satisfying their desire to score.

On the road Alstonville and Redbacks played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Murwillumbah.  Leading 2-1 with 20 seconds still on the clock showed Alstonville had overcome their poor result from the previous week, but they still have work to do.  Brad Small and Chris Woolner scored Alstonville's goals.  With Woolner, Todd Seymour and Steve Law their stand out players.  Adam Jarrett and Luke McMahon scored for Redbacks with Jarrett and Dylan Wotherspoon their best players.

Northern Star showed Mullumbimby a clean set of heels winning their encounter 4-3.  Chris McGuinness (2), James Harmon and Ashley Waring scored for Star.  While for Mullum Adam Gadowski, Luke Iwanuscha and Dean Gadowski scored the goals.

Waratah's brought Casuarina back to earth with a thud with a convincing 3-0 win.  With Dwayne and Mick Newell unavailable Tim Willis had a blinder with three goals to his name.  James Walker continues to standout at centre half giving excellent support to Willis with Todd Stanfield the other top performer.

Matt Woosnam made the most of one of his first runs for Casuarina this year starring alongside Scott Fitzpatrick.  Last week's solid win against Mudgeeraba quickly turned to a distant memory with the inconsistency of player availability undermining Casuarina's ability to be competitive.
Burleigh enjoyed the return to Labrador with a solid though scrappy 3-0 win over United.  Ben Chiu, Matt Freeman and Tony Mahony scored the goals for Burleigh showing their ability to scramble and respond to opportunity as a present.  Clint Colefax continued his excellent form in goals keeping United scoreless despite constant attention.

Michael Campbell and keeper Shaun Wedd's quality defence made Burleigh's job harder.  However United failed to mount any consistent pressure necessary to overcome Burleigh's defence.

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WOMEN - WEEK 7:-Minor Competition

Waratah's  3        Kingscliff  1
Mullumbimby  2    East Lismore  0
Casuarina  6      United  1
Ballina  2        Alstonville  1
Labrador  3     Griffith  1
Glee  Bye             
Mudgeeraba  Bye             
Northern Star  Bye             

Ballina Return to the Winner's List

In J. H. Williams premier hockey league women's action Ballina wasted little time returning to the winners list accounting for Alstonville 2-1.

Amanda Moss (35 min PC, 44 min PS) continues to be Ballina's tower of strength this week posting both of their goals.  And along with Emily and Grace Hunter and Sally Baldry Ballina's structure goes from strength to strength.  And if anything, their close loss to Griffith last week may well prove to be the positive turning point for the year.

Ballina's Alison Porter and 'keeper Sarah Norton proved to be a vital link in Ballina's win over Alstonville as a Redsoilers powered with some extraordinary pressure.

Nicky Woolner, Kristy Hanley, Marli Hope and Jenna Lidbetter were unlucky not to have earned more reward for their quality work.  And if they continue to show this quality of work consistently it won't be long before their more successful.  Hanley (38 min FG) scored Alstonville's goal.

Mullumbimby came, saw and conquered East Lismore 2-0 in Saturday night's action.  15-year-old Sam Iwanuscha (17 min PC, 30 min PC) gave a commanding performance to secure Mullum their deserved win.  Kim Chappell, Alicia Harvey and Nicole Danvers proved to be way too organised to allow East Lismore any opportunity to stake their claim.

However Sophie Rodda and Brooke Colby worked tirelessly to create opportunities and forward momentum for East's to stake their position.  And up to their attacking twenty-five East's dominate many of their games.  But converting position into goals is proving to be their Achilles heel.  Mullum may well have won the game more convincingly except for the exploits of East's defender Karen Eakin.

In Friday night action, an Ebony Phillip double and another goal by Lydia Reading allowed Waratah's to overpower Kingscliff 3-1.  With the scores tied 1-1 at half-time Kingscliff were matching Waratah's courtesy of a Lorrelle Morrisey goal.  However Kingscliff failed to match Waratah's performance in the second half.

Best for Waratah's included Tiarny Wade and Ebony Phillip.  While for Kingscliff Prue Baxter and Nicole Clark stood out.

Casuarina clearly overpowered United in a 6-1 demolition.  Kim Tuckwell provided a classical four goal performance with Kate Zerbet and Casey Petty the other goal scorers.  Sarah Brisby scored United's lone goal.

Sam Johnston was United's best player while Hayley Seaton stood out for Casuarina.

In the local Gold Coast derby Labrador made the most of their opportunities to outpace Griffith 3-1.  With both teams missing players Labrador adapted best to the conditions. Griffith's missed opportunities in the circle proved to be costly.

Hannah Rafferty opened the scoring for Griffith but that was the only joy. Jamie Stone, Jenna Wilson and Georgie Schiller scored Labrador's goals.  Claire Jackson, Ysabel Shieb and Jamie Stone played well for Labrador.  While for Griffith Katrina Nitarski was the best player.

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Jim Challenor - BHMS (Ex Sci)