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RESULTS & MATCH REPORTS
Congratulations to the NZU16 TigerTurf Boys and Girls Teams for 2008!
Players of the Series: Boys - Scott Kearney, Girls - Julia King
TigerTurf NZ U16 Boys v Queensland Secondary School Boys - Match 3
NZ 1 - QLD 3
In the final match of the boys series Queensland came away with the win to make it 2 from 3. New Zealand scored first when a long ball hit out of defence found Gabriel Kepes who beat one player then shot from the top of the circle past the Queensland goalkeeper and into the goal. However Queensland got the scores level again not long after, and they went into the break locked up at 1-1. Queensland had most of the possession and territory in the first half, however New Zealand dominated in the second and attacked constantly, including having back to back penalty corners but were unable to convert their chances. Queensland sucked up the pressure, and took their opportunities well resulting in two goals in the last 5 minutes to give them the game. This brings the points table back to almost even, with NZ on 11 points and QLD on 12. The New Zealand U16 Girls team needs to win their final game to earn maximum points and win the shield for New Zealand. However Queensland Girls need only to come away with a draw and they will take the shield.
TigerTurf NZ U16 Girls v Queensland Secondary School Girls - Match 3
NZ 1 - QLD 0
The New Zealand Under 16 TigerTurf Girls team held on to an early 1-0 lead to win the series and the shield for New Zealand. New Zealand scored the only goal of the match from a penatly corner in the first half. They played good constructive hockey and sustained heavy pressure from Queensland.
Queensland dominated the second half, and kept the New Zealand defense under pressure. They forced numerous penalty corners but were unable to convert any thanks to the outstanding efforts of New Zealand's penalty corner defense. With the 1-0 victory, the NZ Girls finish on 10 points with Queensland on 4, earning another bonus point from todays match.
The combined score mean that New Zealand finish 2 points ahead of Queensland on 15 points making them the TigerTurf Shield winners for 2008.
Final Points Table
TigerTurf NZ U16 Girls v Queensland Secondary School Girls - Match 2
NZ 1 - QLD 0
In the second match of the series the New Zealand Girls came away with a close 1-0 victory over Queensland. Centre half Julia King scored the only goal from a reverse stick shot from the top of the circle. Queensland were more dominant today, and had plenty of possession and territory but were unable to convert it into goals, through some excellent NZ defense including some great saves from goalkeeper Rachael Lecky. In the final 15 minutes the intensity of the game increased with both teams looking to make the game theirs. Standout players for NZ today were Jamie Bolton at full back and Olivia Merry up front. The win today means the NZ Girls are now sitting on 6 points, with Queensland on 3 points having picked up a bonus point for the 1-0 margin.
TigerTurf NZ U16 Boys v Queensland Secondary School Boys - Match 2
NZ 2 - QLD 3
Todays game was of a better quality than yesterday with both teams holding the ball well and playing with a lot of structure. New Zealand got the first goal in the 8th minute when a Penalty Stroke was conceded by Queensland after a melee on the goal line. Kane Russell converted the stroke for New Zealand. The score stayed at 1-0 until the 53rd minute when Mitchell Grant from Queensland got a field goal, which was closely followed by two penalty corner goals to Arin Doig and Jack Duncan in the 61st and 67th minute respectively. Two minutes later New Zealand got the difference back to only 1 goal, with Kane Russell scoring his second of the match and 3rd of the series so far. Unfortunately New Zealand were unable to put away another goal to get them the draw however picked up the bonus point leaving both them and Queensland Boys on 5 points apiece. Tomorrow will be the decider for the shield and it could come down to the bonus points.
Points Table Day 2
WEDNESDAY 8TH OCTOBER
TigerTurf NZ U16 Boys v Queensland Secondary School Boys - Match 1
NZ 3 - QLD 2
The NZU16 Boys pulled out a win in the dying seconds of their first match against Queensland after leading 2-0 at half time. Michael Ritchie scored first for NZ through a nice deflection from a free hit. Their second goal of the match was scored from a penalty corner which was flicked low and hard into the goal by Kane Russell.
Queensland came out firing in the second half and kept the NZ defence under a lot of pressure which led to a field goal being scored by Arin Doig from Queensland who deftly flicked the ball over the advancing keeper, Arran Connor. Arin then got his second from a penalty corner about 10 minutes before the end of the match, to level the scores. After many attacking opportunities by both teams in the last 10 minutes, NZ finally broke through the Queensland defence and Michael Ritchie was able to score his second from a nice reverse shot. NZU16 boys now lead the series with 4 points for their win, with Queensland picking up the bonus point for losing by only 1 goal.
Standout players: Fa'amanu Cassidy, Michael Ritchie
TigerTurf NZ U16 Girls v Queensland Secondary School Girls - Match 1
NZ 1 - QLD 1
This game was reasonably even with both teams having attacking opportunities. At half time the score was nil all, with both teams needing time to settle down. Kim Tanner scored first for NZ, 20 minutes into the second half, but Queensland replied shortly after to bring the scores even again. Stand out for NZ was their keeper, Junior Black Stick Tae Samuel who made a number of excellent saves. There were some good combinations in the NZ side, which will only get better as the series progresses. Julia King played well in the centre half role. In the last stages of the game both teams had opportunities to win the game, with NZ defending two penalty corner attempts in the final minute. With todays draw, both teams will go into tomorrows match with 2 points.
Points Table Day 1
We are pleased to announce the 2008 TigerTurf NZ U16 Squads.
NZ U16 Boys Team 2008
Head Coach – Keith Rowley (Auckland)
Fa’amanu Cassidy, Sean Davies, Jared Panchia, Jared Partridge (Auckland), Tuterangi Raharuhi (Bay of Plenty), Matthew Crake, Dillon Cumberpatch, Nico Griffen, Angus Hazlett, Errol Staples (Canterbury), Michael Ritchie (Counties Manukau), Gabriel Kepes (Marlborough), Scott Kearney (Nelson), Elliot Bartholomew, Arran Connor (North Harbour), Kane Russell (Otago), Zach Woods (Waikato), Thomas Clarkson (Wellington)
Please note Errol Staples has unfortunately withdrawn due to injury and has been replaced by Royden Burt from Manawatu.
NZ U16 Girls Team 2008
Head Coach - Angeline Waetford (Northland)
Jennifer Griffin, Julia King, Carissa-Rose Makea, Danielle Sutherland (Auckland), Oriwa Thyne-Fitzgerald (Bay of Plenty), Jamie Bolton, Sian Fremaux, Olivia Merry, Jenny Storey (Canterbury), Lara Collins, Michaela Curtis (Manawatu), Rachael Lecky, Jade McLeod, Brooke Neal (Northland), Kate Kernaghan (Otago), Kim Tanner, Lydia Velzian (Waikato), Tae Samuel (Wellington)
The TigerTurf Series will be held from the 6th-10th October at Kings College.
Each squad will play three matches against the Queensland Open Secondary School teams at Kings College in Otahuhu, Auckland. Game times are as follows:
Wed 8th: Boys 1pm, Girls 3pm
Thur 9th: Girls 1pm, Boys 3pm
Fri 10th: Boys 9am, Girls 10.45am
Match Reports and results will be posted here half an hour after each match.
The winner of the series will receive the inaugural 'TigerTurf Shield' which has kindly been donated by our major sponsor, TigerTurf.
For full team lists and a brief out line of the rules please click here
