MIDLAND UNDER 21 MEN
The players.
Warren Phillips, Sandeep Puna, Paul Rae, David
Heappey, Mike Lucking, Bryce Clapham, Hanoa Morete, Hamish O’Neill, Tim Smith, Richard Petherick, Craig Armstrong (all Hamilton), Tenga Rangitauira (Rotorua), Martin Hunt, Chris Greenshields, Daniel Seal, Stephen Graham (all Tauranga).
Reserves: Craig Hardman (Hamilton), Tim Long (Counties), Murray King (Tauranga), Caleb King (Rotorua).
This was a very young side: five are still at school, six are still Under18 and only three are not eligible next year. It is important to try and keep this group together for the next 2-3 years.
v Central lost 0-1
v Southern won 4-2
v Auckland won 3-1
v Capital lost 5-0
v Northern lost 6-1
v Canterbury lost 4-0
v Southern won 5-1
Final placing 5th out of 7.
Our loss to Central (who finished last) was an
aberration attributable to bad luck, some excellent goal keeping by them and
some poor team discipline (panic!) by us in the second half. Without this
(silly) loss to Central the team would have finished 4th.
We outplayed Southern on both occasions.
We played very well to beat Auckland. The best result
(if not the ‘perfect’ game) of the week.
Our loss to Capital was partly attributable to three head injuries (including a bad head/eye injury to Sandeep Puna which saw him sidelined for the rest of the tournament). The game was getting out of hand, so to protect some of our vulnerable players, we used the bench extensively in the second half.
In the following game against Northern we surrendered tamely without seriously competing: possibly because we were still affected by what had happened during the Capital game. Northern went on to win the tournament.
We played some of our best hockey in the 1st half against Canterbury. Two unforced errors in the mid-field left us 0-2 down at half time: where have we heard that before! Again the second half gave us the chance to use the bench and experiment with positions.
Northern (winners), Capital (2nd) and
Canterbury (3rd) were more experienced, made fewer unforced errors
and were out of reach this year. But next year…!
I was delighted with the style of hockey we played,
especially in the Auckland and Canterbury games. The players came to realise
what playing at this level is all about: being patient, taking the right
options, and not forcing difficult passes in the danger zones. We lacked
‘born’ strikers but manufactured some good goals through forcing corners.
I am very happy with the way the team developed during the three warm up games, and the tournament. This group of players should do great things over the next few years. They showed they are willing to listen and learn. They have the ambition to play good hockey and to win important games (e.g., versus Auckland). I believe with good support this group can go close to winning the tournament in 1-2 years time.
The Midland Under 21 concept
This is the first year Midland has had Under 21 teams.
The tournament was early in the season, and trials etc occurred before most of
the local Committees were up and running. Consequently the men’s team
operated without a manager and possibly without all eligible players being
informed about trials etc. Fortunately a few ‘old hands’ ensured information reached the majority of players and helped with organising and running trials, lead up games and at tournament. Many thanks, especially to those who drove many miles from Rotorua, Tauranga and Papakura. It would be nice to increase our representation from Counties and Thames Valley.
The National Under 21 tournament is a highly
prestigious competition where our best young talent goes on display (so it can
be ‘head hunted’ to the main centres!). We need to do a modicum of
planning over the summer to ensure a smoother lead up to next year’s tournament. I am keen to coach again, and I have had two offers (from mums) to be manager. All we need is:
• one or two folk prepared to seek sponsorship,
• one or two folk prepared to help get people to trials
• one or two folk prepared to help organise practices and lead up games,
• an assistant coach
Coach
4 Cotebrook Lane, Hillcrest, Hamilton
Work phone: 07 8561728, fax 07 8560151
Mobile 025 476043. email k.rutherford@niwa.co.nz