Giving Stick

By LEUT Stuart Cayzer

Corporal John Godward, centre, challenges Army team members for the ball at the NSW Inter-service Hockey Championships.

A FAST-moving Air Force men’s team overwhelmed Army and fought hard against Navy to win the NSW Inter-service Hockey Championships.

The side consisted of several known strong players and several new players that would have a key role in the tilt for the championship.

In the game against Army, both sides came out at a frenetic pace. The less mobile Air Force defence came under early pressure as the Army utilised its width to force into the circle.

But Leading Aircraftman Chris Hill led a strike-hungry midfield that pushed deep into Army’s area. This pressure on the Army defence resulted in fast attacks down the sidelines and breaks into the circle to create opportunities that eventually paid off just before halftime.

The depth of the Air Force bench proved the telling factor in the second half. Corporal Ryan Bowden made several great strikes at the goal that kept the Army keeper honest.

The final score of 3-0 did not reflect the dominance of the Air Force side. Coach Nathan Ball warned his players that if they performed with the same lack of finish against Navy they would not come out victorious again.

From the outset of the game against traditional rivals Navy, the Air Force forwards made the Navy defence work hard. This pressure paid off 15 minutes into the half when, from a short corner, CPL Bowden clipped the top of the goalkeeper’s pads and scored.

The pressure was continued and Navy had to work hard to gain good field position, with several more shots from Air Force testing the Navy defence.

Navy then pushed into Air Force territory and persistence was rewarded when a deflection through the circle got into the goal to level the score.

In the second half the game became a battle of forwards and goalkeepers. Corporal John Godward found himself in the open 25 minutes into the half and challenged the goalkeeper, who slowed him up enough to allow the defence to regain position and put on a tackle. CPL Godward’s shot as he was being tackled bobbled high over the diving keeper and though two defenders to put Air Force in the lead.

Navy, determined to not be beaten, went on the attack for the remaining 10 minutes and earned several short corners, including the last with only 30 seconds left on the clock, creating the height of tension. With all men in attack, Navy’s last chance rested on the shot that went wide and the Air Force won a thrilling match and the Interservice Championships for 2004.

Seven Air Force players have been named in the NSW combined services side to compete at the ADF Hockey championships in Albury from June 5-11 June.

They are:

FLTLT Scott Warmsley, FLTLT Gary Sadler, CPL Ryan Bowden, CPL John Godward, LAC Chris Hill, CPL Nelson Parlett and LAC Andrew Gawthorne.

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A Two-service team effort

Corporal Shannon Yates (white shirt), a member of the combined Air Force/Army team, stretches to steal the ball.

Photos by Bill Cunneen

An Understrength Air force women's team gave the Army side the strength it needed to record one win from two games against Navy at the NSW Inter-service Hockey Championships.

Due to depleted numbers, Air Force was unable to enter a full team in the championship, leaving a dissappointing hole in the week, but one all are determined to rectify before next year's event.

After suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Navy in the first match, Army combined with Air Force on the final day of competition.

The fast start to the game had all running hard when Private Ingrid Munchin took control with Signaller Leesa Purcell to push the strikers into attack. PTE Munchin, who played in last year's NSW State Under 21 side, was to be the key difference in the encounter as she exploited the holes left by a less skilful Navy team.

Not to be outdone, Seaman Talei Tuliawa, who played in last year's ACT National Hockey League squad, used a lot of space in the midfield to link with her attack to Lieutenant Naomi Holmes and Able Seaman Liz Duve, who penetrated the Army/Air Force circle on a number of occasions.

The combined team countered and breached the Navy defence through some slick teamwork.

This goal proved to be the only one for the game and handed victory to the combined Army/Air Force side, but the NSW Women's Inter-service Championship went to Navy.

Only one Air Force player - Leading Aircraftwoman Catherine Purcell - made the NSW combined services side to compete at the ADF Hockey Championships from June 5-11.

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