Sport
Hockey fiver


Edition 4909, 31 May, 2007
 
SUPER STICKS: FLTLT Ron Batcheldor from RAAF Base Glenbrook traps the ball in a game against Navy at Sydney’s Homebush Sports Centre during the NSW Inter-Service Hockey Championships.
Photo by CPL Andrew Hetherington
 
Air Force built on an outstanding opening-day performance to win its fifth successive NSW Inter-Service Hockey Championship at the Olympic facilities at Sydney’s Homebush Sports Centre in early May.

The most consistent team of the three-day championship, Air Force got off to a great start to beat Army 5-2 through some very strong defence controlled by WOFF Peter Thompson, and fast, potent forward-line play from LAC Daniel Peake and SGT Ryan Bowden.

Army was not without its chances and missed scoring several times when the ball rolled across the open goal and Team Green’s attack was unable to lay stick on ball to find the back of the net.

The traditional Air Force-Navy rivalry played out on the second day with a highly-motivated Air Force team taking an early lead and not letting the Navy back into the game as it won 3-1.

Again, it was a fast forward-line and a strong midfield for Air Force that controlled the game’s tempo and structure, primarily through FSGT Andy Eagling and FLTLT Ron Batcheldor.

Air Force joined forces with Army, with several players helping Army open its account 4-3 against Navy on day three, after Navy had led 3-0 at half-time.

The fit and fast Army team outran Navy in the first half. Navy was unable to fully recover to take the lead as Army continued to dominate in the second half.

After the championships, a NSW Combined Services team was selected to compete at the Australian Defence Hockey Championships in Albury from June 2-9. These championships will bring together ADF teams from around the country, and NSW will have to perform exceptionally to defend the men’s and women’s championships it won last year.

“All Service teams suffered from a reduced number of players because of operational deployments, exercise preparations and increased workloads,” ADF Hockey PR manager LEUT Stuart Cayzer said: “This lack of players was particularly felt in the women’s ranks, where the high unavailability rate resulted in the women’s inter-Service event not being held for the first time.”

Any ADF members or public servants who wish to participate in ADF hockey are encouraged to contact the ADF Hockey representative in their state or LEUT Cayzer on (02) 9359 4233.