Hockey Newsletter No. 8
4 May 2008

The hockey started bright and early with the U14A’s in action on the dew covered Astro. This was a much improved display by the team and a tremendous fight-back saw them level the scores, but Michaelhouse pulled ahead to win 3-2. It was encouraging to see the determination amongst the players and much of this type of character will be required in the weeks ahead. It was also much in evidence that their fitness levels have improved. The U14B’s played well to hold Michaelhouse to 2-3, but then again they allowed things to slip to lose by 2-5. Improved levels of fitness would do much to help their skill in the last fifteen minutes. The U16 D team started their season with a well-deserved 1-0 victory while the C team drew their fixture 2-2. The U16B side lost by 1-3, while the U16A side continued their resurgence with a fine 3-0 victory. The Third side maintained their unbeaten record with an emphatic 4-0 victory and they can face the future against College and Kearsney with confidence.

In the First Team clash one must mention the magnificent display of umpiring by John and Peter Wright who never put a foot wrong and ensured an incident-free, free-flowing match of superb hockey that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. Our thanks in particular must be extended to Mike du Plessis for making it possible for John and Peter to take charge of this important fixture. Umpire manager Clive McMurray also attended the match and gave both the Michaelhouse and Hilton First teams a briefing on the Friday evening regarding how the umpires would approach the match. This certainly played its part in the great game that was played on the Saturday. In the first half Hilton took a 2-0 lead through strokes by Nick Spooner after a slide tackle and then later the goalkeeper illegally protecting the ball. Hilton threatened to further extend their lead but near misses by Louis Taylor and Ross Chaplin seemed only to inspire the Michaelhouse team. With their spectators in full voice they took the upper hand and scored two superb penalty corner goals and dominated play for twenty minutes. Possibly, the effort to level the scores took its toll and Hilton was allowed back in the picture. Rory Murtagh became the hero of the day when two minutes from time he found himself unmarked in the circle and in a cool and collected manner rounded the keeper and slapped the ball into an empty net.

Next week’s fixtures are against Durban High School at Hilton and on Monday 12 May trials will be held for the Provincial U14, 16 and 18 teams. Another important selection will take place next week when we announce the Hilton College First Team to Tour overseas at Easter next year. The selectors for this Touring Team of 16 players will be Ant Chantler, Mike Mill, Bruce Nozaic, Mike Todd, Francois Morgan and Gavin Thomson. Our selection brief is to compile the best team possible and also to ensure that players who will form the core of the 2010 First Team are included in this group. In the next newsletter, there will be an outline of the tour proposal and news of the DHS weekend. This will be followed by the Provincial team selections and the 2009 Overseas Touring party.

Just an advanced warning to the hockey parents in Johannesburg. On Friday 13 June the entire hockey club together with a number of rugby teams will be travelling to Pretoria for a series of fixtures against St Albans. As what happened in the past with our trips to St John’s, the players spent Friday night billeted with the Johannesburg parents. A letter from Mark Perrett will be sent out shortly to confirm numbers of those parents who will be willing to host players on that evening and then get them to St Albans on the Saturday.
In the words of Crabb - “Cheers Mike”

Gavin