Senior Wrap:
Last weekend also saw 5 out of 6 Senior Teams through semis and contesting Preliminary Finals. The only team not to win through were 2W, who had to promote half their team to Div 1 midway through the season as the 1W had lost players. This gave a lot of Juniors an opportunity to play up in Seniors, ably supported by the 3’s as usual - and a huge headache for Coach/Captain/Manager Cathy Forbes, who constantly had to manage a "fluid" group of players - well done 2W for holding it together; special mention to Junior GK Monique Ralph, who filled the goalie kickers with huge promise.
3W had a weekend off, as they beat their Nemesis Lab Black (for the first time this season) in the Major semi the week before - to the obvious joy of all involved including Coach Big Carl Hemberg & Captain Quinny. They intend to hammer the coffin nails home for the Ba Ba’s in their Grand Final at 12.30pm Sat 19th - let’s give them every support.
3M played two semis/prelims, losing Sat against Capri, winning Sunday against Allstars, due to a Draw stuff-up which eventuated in a 5 team play off. Brad Raw has stepped up to managing & the team is guided by Keebs and TJ. 3M have enjoyed their role in nurturing Juniors & new players! Their Grand Final against Capri is at 11am tomorrow, & your support will make all the difference.
2M lost players last weekend, injured or just shattered from two games in 3’s, plus Juniors backing up from Friday Grand Finals. They eventually suffered a loss but can be proud of their development and commitment this season, quietly supported by Manager Jason Friend & guided by Keebs and TJ.
1M played a skilful and fast-paced end-to-end game. The result was unfortunately a loss on the day, but they played with heart and determination to the final whistle. Again Mudgee is building through developing its young players, who should be proud of their growth and progress. Peter Keeble and Todd Maguire mentor & muster this able team (amongst their many roles for MHC).
1W took to the field against Griffith, after an incredibly mixed year which saw several seasoned players leave, Juniors and mature 2's step up, Dual players unable to play too many Saturday games because of their prior Brisbane commitments ….. All in all a difficult ask, but every player has done their bit to keep the 1's together and offer our Juniors a path to the best possible level of hockey on the Coast. Whilst this must have been mentally wearing, they played hard in their Preliminary Final till the last second & created opportunities, giving us a lot to cheer about (voices almost gone as this was the last of 11 games over the weekend) Their skills are there to be built on, and hopefully a smoother & more settled start to next season will optimise the outcome. Thanks to Dena Colefax in her third team as Goalie! It was great to get to know her, and her mentoring of our younger goalies is appreciated. Much gratitude goes to Chris Burton for toughing out the multiple changes to his bench, and Mel Reid for pulling things together, despite the disappointment of injury preventing her participation. All the Juniors should be congratulated on their debut, all the while acknowledging the skilled Seniors who are holding the door open for them…
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Let’s give every support to the 3's tomorrow, who provide a backbone of volunteers running the Club, as well as playing gutsy hockey.
Annual Dinner is at Bond's University Club, Saturday 17 October, tickets $40 include welcome drink will be available for purchase at tomorrow’s games, or email kirsty@cracka.net to reserve (direct deposit to CBA Mudgeeraba Hockey Club Inc BSB 064468 a/c 10010039 by 9 October to confirm).
