KEW Hockey Club

Kew Pennant C vs Greensborough (2-4)

This was the corresponding fixture from earlier in the season which kick started our season. (A 9-1 victory for the uninformed)

It was also the most keenly anticipated match of the season for Damon Hartung, who has recently moved to the area. Which means it’s rough justice to be in Noosa for the one “away” trip played on your door step.

The rolling door at selection has been quite the impediment to the once high flying Kew Pennant C. Among the absentees this week Stevie Gale, Ben Jono, Hubba, Budge Harvey and Ian Rowe. And the continuing absence of Tags has hurt badly. But what you lose on the swing you pick up on the round-a-bout. We welcomed Scalesy back from holiday, Leigh Munroe from the 2s and Danny Lee from retirement.

The strange sensation of warm July sunshine left me contemplating if global warming was such a bad thing. And perhaps I was not focused enough on the job at hand – finding Yan Yean Road and the Greensborough Hockey Ground.

This Greensborough challenge was certain to be more difficult than our previous meeting. The opposition contained several experienced players who looked well equipped for a challenge. Or a shooting.

The opening stanzas were fast, open and crucially very even. Both teams displayed their attacking wares and defensive capabilities in turn. Kew Zigged when Greensborough zagged.

It eventually took a well crafted goal to Brent Scales after a series of neat passes near the circle to break the deadlock.

Kew wasted several chances to extend this margin, which were perhaps the defining moments of the match. Greensborough soon took their solitary chance at the other end. One-all at half time.

The second half was a almost a carbon copy. A wonderful individual goals to Scalesy put us back in control and we looked to be cruising. Several corner chances went begging and eventually we were made to pay the price.  Greensborough struck three times in the last ten minutes including two in the last three minutes.

Hockey is rarely fair, but it always tells a tale. In this instance we were not prepared to work hard enough for long enough, didn’t take our chances and just thought someone else would do the hard yards for us.

The hockey God would appear to be saying, “Kew, you’re not that good that you don’t need to train and can turn up ten minutes before a match and expect to win”.

It wasn’t all bad. They have good pies and cheap drinks out at GHC. And the team played quite well in patches. Its times to get a little more focused on the remaining few weeks and chalk up a few more wins.