THE TARANAKIAN
THE TARANAKIAN
HOCKEY 1999
And so I would like to thank the team for a good first year of coaching the 1st X1, especially Mark Lyes, Corey Walden and Shane Thornhill for their leadership and service to the sport. To the other seventh formers, good luck for the future, and for the rest of the team, start training for next season. Finally I would like to thank Ric Knight for his superb management and support this year, and for the wonderful contribution he has made to hockey at this school. His skills and personality will be sorely missed . George Penlington (Coach)
Colt•s Hockey Team 1999
1st XI HOCKEY Back Row: Nick Axten, Shane Thornhill, Corey Walden , James Newell, Duncan Kissick Middle Row: Ric Knight (Manager), Chris Watts, Shanon Barnett, Rowan Jamieson, Shaan Caskey, Barry Watson, George Penlington (Coach) Front Row: Robert Gordon, Chris Ashcroft, Shem Low, Mark Lyes (Captain), Kellam Bayley, Tim Cleaver
1st XI Hockey Report 1999 We started on the last weekend in March, having begun training three weeks earlier. We.were a relatively young side fielding four 4th formers and a total of nine newcomers including myself. We were, though , not daunted by our task left by our highly accomplished predecessors to equal or improve on their success. Playing in the Senior B Grade we were always confident of reaching the semi-finals. After two losses from three games though, we had to quickly reassess the situation. Our desire, commitment and enjoyment for the game did not diminish and we finished the round robin top in our group with a 6 wins 31osses record; the highlight of which was definitely our 10-2 win in our last game against Kiwi. Everything clicked as we ran rampant over a team to whom we had previously lost twice . It was disappointing that we could not maintain the intensity in the semifinal the following day, losing to a strong Stratford team 3-1 . While we did not accomplish our first goal, our season did indeed start well. Next on the agenda were the inter-school fixtures and the new Super 8 (or rather 7) Hockey competition. Our first game, a hard fought match against traditional rivals Wanganu i Collegiate, was a great start to the middle part of the season: a 1-0 victory. Always tense, the match was physically and mentally tough. In the end it was only a strong hit from Corey Walden that separated the two teams.
62
We then travelled to Hamilton for the first of our Super 8 games. Confident of continuing our success, we started well, ending the first half up 1-0 against the run of play. However our excitement was short lived. Hamilton's pressure translated into 5 goals, which were only answered at the end of the game with a brilliant team goal. Overall, a disappointing game as we were unable to reach anywhere near our true potential. And this seemed to be the case for most of the season. We showed glimpses of brilliance against Tauranga Boys', up 1-0 early on, but we were unable to sustain it losing 3-1. This was also the case against Wellington College (5-0 loss) and Palmerston Boys' (8-1 loss), though with these last two, the score did not reflect the match. Our last three games before tournament were a mixed bag. We beat Hastings Boys' 7-1 in once again a patchy display- taking the first half to ascertain the team's weaknesses before pouncing (perhaps) but we lost to Napier Boys' 4-0 with a very lacklustre performance. Our final game, against Rotorua Boys' was a lot better as we displayed strength, poise and fight to come back from a 1-3 first half deficit to salvage a 4-4 draw, giving us a 4th equal final placing in the competition. Just as with our season, Rankin Cup provided us with highs and lows. And while we could dwell on our last placing and ability to only score one goal in six matches, I prefer to look at the highlights. The way we took our game, our pride, and our passion to Palmerston Boys', fighting our way to a 2-0 defeat. Or the way we held ourselves throughout the tournament. While we did not win, Rankin Cup was still an enjoyable week.
This page has been kindly sponsored by Waste Management NZ Ltd.
The colt's hockey team was made up of form 3 and form 4 students. They enjoyed a very successful year culminating in a final appearance at the end of the season. It bodes well for the future to see a number of talented hockey players coming through and with the right attitude and preparation hockey well be strong at New Plymouth Boys' High in the future. People enjoyed themselves particularly with the large squad. It was ably led by Hamish Welch and Danny Evans (when not in Britain) and supported by every other player. The side won the majority of their games against older and more experienced hockey players. In playing the final the boys travelled to Stratford on the first Saturday of the holidays. There they played an excellent first half to lead by 3-2. However, they could not maintain that momentum in the second half and eventually lost 4-3. A very good spectacle, to which the boys acquitted themselves well. The top goal scorers being Richard Gulliver and Ashley Algie along with the support of the others including Welchy on the left wing along with Scotty our converted soccer player. Brossie managed to keep a number of goals out while Cade Ogle, Ben Evans, Ashley Algie and Chris Ashcroft showed their spirit by delaying their annual pilgrimage home to play the final, with Cade playing his best game all year. Smithy and Hayden controlled the midfield showing tremendous potential for the future along with Chris K and lan. Graeme was always solid and showed improvements throughout the year. Josh, our speedy little winger, showed good fight and improved during the year. The Evans boys held the defence together while Matt F impressed before falling ill with glandular fever while Mr Versatility, Tony, was invaluable with his energy and enthusiasm . 1 wish everyone every success with their hockey futures .
J '
I
'
ft