By TANIA PHILLIPS
Pic: Dean Stanfield from Waratahs tries to tackle Kingscliff player Troy Tagget.
AN impressive performance by rookie goalkeeper Jess King has kept Kingscliff’s unbeaten run alive in the J.H. Williams Hockey League Cup at the weekend.
King was named her team’s player of the match, as the coast girls defeated arch-rivals Waratah Falcons 3-0 in a hard-fought game at Barrie Smith Hockey Fields, Murwillumbah.
King kept a clean scoresheet on debut against the tough Falcons, while at the other end of the field Kingscliff’s most experienced player Lorelle Morrissey was in a goal-scoring mood with a hat-trick of goals.
In an even first half, the Falcons squandered several chances to score and went to the break at 0-0. The second half was also an even affair until Morrissey created chances to put her team ahead.
Murwillumbah played their best match this season to come away with a 4-0 victory against Lismore’s Northern Star. Two goals to Sam Johnston, Christie Palmer and Chloe Saddler sealed their fate.
This was a real team effort and hard to find any real stand out players but maybe Christie and Brodie Palmer were their best.
Meanwhile, Casuarina were involved in a 3-3 draw against Glee in Lismore.
In the Men’s Harcourt Hockey League, the Central Comets still remain on top of the ladder thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 win over the East Coast Sharks.
They were not allowed to play to their best as the East Coast Sharks young guns really put it to them with only good goal keeping from the Comets keeper Cameron Barnes who saved their bacon.
Goal-scorers for the Comets were player of the match Scott Reading along with Shane Johnston, who has moved from fullback to forward, along with Michael Campbell.
Waratah Bobcats and Kingscliff Stingers played one of the best matches this season. It was a fast, open and even match but the goal scoring machine Dwayne Newell, who scored all three of Waratahs goals, proved to be the difference.
Both teams created good opportunities to score but Kingscliff missed a couple more than Waratahs which was all the difference.
It was a pleasure to see two great sides give it all and play hockey.
I have noticed of late some teams using the B ball which is when you flick the ball in the air down the field.
This is a good skill but is it good for hockey as it can be very boring. As I said the Waratah and Kingscliff game has bed the best and no B balls. I watched some great hockey on the TV on Fox sports over in Europe and only two B balls so why are some of our local teams using this negative play 20 times a game. Some may say it is a great skill some may say it is boring negative hockey, what do you think.
Next week’s games in the Women’s J.H. Williams Hockey League have Kingscliff playing East Lismore at Murwillumbah on Saturday at 2.10pm, and at 3.35pm Murwillumbah will play Casuarina, while over at Ballina Waratahs take on Glee at 2.55pm.
In the men’s Harcourt Hockey League on Friday night at 7pm it is the comp leaders Central Comets and Kingscliff Stingers doing battle followed at 8.25pm by Waratah Bobcats and East Coast Sharks.
