Magic Pass Sets Up A Fairytale End To Season

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday September 13, 2000

with DAVE MURRAY

A ``killer" pass from Alison Lawer to team-mate Melissa Simpson was enough to win Fairy Meadow the Illawarra Women's Hockey Association division one grand final at Unanderra last Saturday.

After a scoreless and even first half, Lawer smashed the ball through from near halfway to Simpson, who deflected it off the post and into the net.

The goal gave Fairy Meadow a 1-0 lead which it clung to until the final whistle.

Earlier Deanna Thirlwell had made great saves off shots from Vikki Muller and Simpson.

Tracey Lawer had done the same for Fairy Meadow off a strike from Sheree Delbanco as both sides battled for ascendancy.

Simpson, Jo Lackenby, Michelle Cheetham, Sonia Owens and Natalie Radburn had outstanding games for the winners, while Thirlwell, Karen Tiek and Jenene Gilbert worked tirelessly for Figtree.

Fairy Meadow also finished the season with the division two trophy, but on a shared basis with Dapto after the sides had finished extra time locked at one-all.

Tracey Hurt had put Dapto ahead with four minutes to play in the first half with a deflection off the post, before Kathy Bill produced a magnificent solo effort from near halfway to even the scores.

Seven-and-a-half minutes each way in extra time failed to add to the scoreboard and joint premiers were declared.

Unanderra celebrated after taking the division three decider with a 2-1 defeat of Saints.

Saints grabbed the lead through a Kathy Hall deflection goal in the first half, but Unanderra evened up through Jacquie Thomson from a corner with one minute to play before the break.

Thomson then hit the winner 10 minutes into the second half, a goal Saints couldn't peg back.

***

Wests' John Bessell and Dapto's Simon Beaton have been named joint Illawarra Credit Union Illawarra Men's Hockey Association first grade players of the year.

Bessell starred for the Red Devils all season as Wests captured their first premiership since 1994. Beaton, a NSW Under 18s indoor representative this year, also had a magnificent season for Dapto.

The pair received their awards last Friday night at the IMHA's presentation night at the Illawarra Master Builders' Club where Western Suburbs was named champion club and a number of other trophies were presented.

Lower grade player of the year awards went to Bob Hughes (University), joint winners Lionel Billett (Dapto) and Jay Williams (Albion Park), and Garry Davis (University) in second, third and fourth grades respectively.

Paul Munro was named senior representative player of the year with Brett Stibners collecting the under 21 rep player of the year trophy.

Highest goal scorers - Andrew Hammond (Fairy Meadow), Darren Carberry (Wests), David Gentles (Dapto), Phil Andrews (Wests) and Steve Whipp (Kiama) - in each grade were also lauded.

Other recognitions were:

IMHA premiers: Western Suburbs (first), Western Suburbs Blue (second), Dapto (third), Fairy Meadow (fourth).

Minor premiers: Western Suburbs, Western Suburbs Blue, Dapto and Kiama.

National Hockey League reps: David Gentles (umpire), Barry Reid (assist coach) and Steve Mayo.

NSW Country: Chris Hamer. NSW Under 21s: Scott Matthews.

NSW Under 18s: Nick Little, Brad Winzer, Matt Davis.

Australian veterans reps: Greg Johnson (O/40), Dennis Cranston and John Williams (O/45).

NSW reps: Greg Johnson and Peter Hammond (O/40), Allan Went, Dennis Cranston, Phil Younger, Dave Johnston, John Williams, Terry Ashby (O/45). Col Hogan, Dave Bessell, Peter Cummins, Jeff Radburn, Keith Coombes (O/50). Bob Montgomery (O/55), Vic East (O/60).

Australian indoor reps: Ian Frew, Brett Stibners.

NSW reps: Calvin Boon, Ian Frew, Warren Adams, Brett Stibners and Glen Stolk.

Under 21s: Scott Matthews, Andrew Hammond, David Burns and Gareth Beynon.

Under 18s: Ernie Orth (coach), Ernie Betts (man), Simon Beaton, Scott McGlinn and Brad Winzer.

***

Interesting to talk to South African women's coach Gene Muller after the Proteas beat a brave Illawarra invitational side (10-0) at Lindsay Maynes last Sunday.

Muller was delighted with the hit-out, but wasn't so chuffed about returning to the Olympic village last night to prepare for South Africa's opening match against Germany on Sunday.

Muller's mob arrived in Wollongong on September 6, trained for a few days before booking into the Olympic village.

``We've been in the village for two days already, we stayed there but we decided we didn't want to stay there for too long," Muller said. ``We wanted to train outside the chaos of the village."

Ranked fifth in the world after the last Champions Trophy, South Africa could be dark horse at the Olympics, especially now centre-forward Pietie Coetzee is nearing full fitness.

Coetzee played for only 20 minutes against Illawarra but still had time to show she was a special player.

Muller said her availability was vital to his team's medal chances, even though making the second round and ``having fun" were the Proteas' main aims at their first Games.

***

Just a reminder that a couple of spots are still open in the Wollongong Old Devils touring party to play in next year's 10th Golden Oldies World Hockey Festival in Canada.

The festival runs between September 30 and October 7, 2001, in beautiful Vancouver and caters for male players aged 35 and over.

Organiser Ernie Betts said the Old Devils could only take 14 players, so don't waste any time if you're interested in experiencing a fantastic competition featuring hockey players from all parts of the world.

Ernie has all the details on 42714126.

***

As this is the last Stick Around column for this year I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone that has volunteered information this season, especially Gaye Kolsky, John Pemberton and Debbie Boyd.

Until 2001, I'd just like to say: ``Go the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos".