KBH Brumbies The Muster #11

Match Reports

Men's Vic League 1
Saturday 18th vs La Trobe. After an emphatic 9-1 win away from home just three weeks ago, it was time to secure double victories against La Trobe. With a few injuries, some returning players and severe cases of jet lag with the English boys returning from New Zealand we knew this week would be a different story.
We started the game well with a few good breaks with La Trobe under the pump. The defence fizzing the ball around the back feeding the midfield nicely. Ten minutes in and Ben White was gifted the ball near the circle after a lovely pass to score an easy, unmissable 'tap-in'. 1-0 Brumbies.

After a series of good play and consistent pressure, we entered the 'D' and managed to win a penalty stroke. There was much debate over who was to take the flick. Would it be either of our two flickers Sean or Sam? Surely not... With a tense game of 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who was to step up, Matthew Gale emerged from out of no where to take on the challenge in front of a capacity crowd of roughly 37. With pressure building and the camera flashes causing no distraction, Matt calmly slotted the ball in the corner to return victorious extending our lead to two.

With the return of our resident DJ Luke Mooney back from a long tour in Ibiza with David Guetta, he made no mistake in stringing some lovely interchange play together with Ben White and Gil Hassall. Gilbert, who currently juggles his professional hockey career alongside some part time hair modelling and occasionally is seen digging pipes calmly finished the move off with a classy finish to beat the keeper. 3-0 Brumbies.
The press caught up with Gilbert at half time and he said "It feels really good to get on the score sheet again, I'd like to thank my sponsors Mazon and TRESemmé for their continued support."

Half time came with some wise words from Coach Harper and some tactical genius from Brent Scales who's perfectly timed substitutions had a large impact on our success in the first half. The second half shortened to only 28 minutes saw a brief burst from La Trobe with Seton pulling off some fine saves to keep our lead to 3. Shortly after, 2 more goals came as we won a PC which was converted by Sam Scott and also another strictly average finish by the youngster Ben White put us in the clear. The final whistle went with a well earned 3 points for the Brumbies. From all of the Men's 1st XI we wish the La Trobe player a speedy recovery and hopes he gets back on the pitch soon.
MOM - Ben White

Men's Vic League 1 Reserves

Same old start. We let the other side score in the first five minutes and then we play catch up. Luckily Walshy decided he would overlap from right back to beat everyone , then the goalie; and yet hit the ball wide of an empty net. But it got us going.

After 15 minutes both sides had only one circle penetration each. Just on half time we were awarded a stroke ; and as you blinked, Walshy was on the spot to take it. One all at half time.

Half way through the second half. Walshy was again off the leash and was at the attacking right post to put us 2-1 up. Some great defending , by those that stayed at home ensured we hang on for the win
A really tough, hard fought game. Goals , Sean (Kevin Bartlett) Walsh 2. Best, Damon, Walshy, Sher

Women's Vic League 1 (Previous weeks game)
It was cold and windy last Wednesday night – yes, that right – Wednesday night – as the WVL1 squad ventured out to Maribyrnong Secondary College for our “home” game against Hockey Geelong.

After waiting for the Footscray Minkey squad to clear the pitch, we realized two things: 1. That the girls from Geelong had come to play; and 2. That the slippery Maribyrnong pitch was no Elgar stables. It was game on.

We were coming off two strong 9 nil wins and were feeling pretty confident. Geelong were level with us on points and obviously realized that the winner would keep in touch with the four and the loser…well…. The game opened up as a bit of an arm wrestle - shots both ways and a nice poster for Geelong - until the 25 minute mark when Geelong capitalized on a series of corners, to go one up. At half time the coach emphasized that we had had plenty of possession and needed some patience plus some desperation in front of the goals.

The second half looked like following a similar pattern, before we won our own penalty corner and, pass, pass, pass allowed Sarah Evans was to knock it over the line. 48 minutes gone. One all.

Sarah decided she need to do something more spectacular, so after we turned over the Geelong tip off, she ran the base line and a quick shot from close to the line found its way into the net. 49 minutes. Two one up.

We again forced possession straight away and Brooke Johnson, always dangerous, charged in from right half. We had practiced this for weeks. Ball smashed into the circle for a deflection from second gamer Breanna Cozzio. 50 minutes. 3 – 1 up.

So, three goals in three minutes and for the next 20 minutes we resisted Geelong as they fought hard to get back in it. Nice work from all the defenders to hold them out & a fine three minutes to reflect on as we look ahead to the next challenge.

Men's Pennant D
Sunday morning hockey! Doesn't seem quite right, but a beautiful morning indeed with bonus of a Win! First goal scored within approximately first 10 seconds of the game, so quick it was missed by most on the sideline :-( well done Rob & Wardy. Strong play through out the match saw Brumbies consolidate a win against Doncaster 3-0. Goals from short corners unfortunately remained ever elusive. Sticking to our game plan at all costs proves to be paramount . 2 goals to Simon Ward, 1 to Tom Spillman.