The Tenterfield women’s hockey team had their annual hit-out recently when they participated in the NSW Veterans Championship at chilly Armidale.
After their grand final win at the half-state competition in Grafton last year, the team was promoted to a higher division for this event which included clubs from all over NSW.
There were only a couple of changes to the team this year with Judy Murphy joining the team for the first time and Carole Newman making a welcome return from injury. Deb McCowen answered a last minute SOS call from Inverell to play with their over 50s team but still wore the Tenterfield jacket with pride all weekend.
The competition ran over four days and presented the Tenterfield team with a combination of wins, losses and draws. The first game in wintery conditions on Thursday afternoon was against sister team, Inverell. Tenterfield won the first half with an early goal which gave Inverell coach, Kent Chaffey, something to think about; but nerves took their toll in the second half when Inverell ran away with 4 goals for a well deserved win.
Friday morning was still cold and wet for an even game against Far South Coast. There was plenty of attack from the forwards with good shots at goal from Sarah Caldwell, and plenty of solid defence from halves such as Jenny Farlow. Carlole Newman finally scored a goal only to have it disallowed by a suspect umpire’s decision. Far South Coast went on to win 1-0.
The excitement of the first two games proved too much for goalie Jude Cox, who bolted to Glen Innes before the third match against Ryde, leaving the “Plucka Duck” uniform to a worried Nicki Lewis. Nicki did a great job in goals and was replaced at right half by Chick Lanz who made a late arrival from the shearing shed. Judy Murphy, in her last game of the weekend, had a great match and scored one of the three goals to secure a 3-0 win to Tenterfield.
Saturday morning’s game was against the highly rated Macleay team who were thrashing all of their opposition. This was Lyn Ashton’s first game for the year, and considering that she was injured last time against Macleay, she would have been forgiven for being a tad nervous. However in true Tenterfield style she came out firing and had a great defensive game. Although the final score was 3-0 against the Wasps, it was a game that really showcased the talent of the halves and backs. Libby Thomas excelled under pressure, earning high praise from the umpire, and combined well with Jenny Farlow at left half. Goalie, Jude Cox, and all three backs - Belinda Christie, Prue Birch and Margaret Donnelly - played some fantastic hockey to ensure Macleay was scoreless in the second half.
The second game of the day, against New England, was a complete reversal of the first and allowed the forwards to shine. Lib Melling and Mandy McKeesick combined well with some short passes to score the first goal in the opening minute. This was followed up with a ‘stand and deliver power shot from captain Kim Landers. Karen Mooney had plenty of shots and was unlucky not to score, and Lib Melling completed the day with a well-earned goal to take the final tally to 3-0 to Tenterfield.
The last match of the competition was held at 8am on Sunday morning on ice. With a good build up of frost under everyone’s shoes, it was a very tentative start from both teams, but in the second half two goals were scored a piece to end the weekend with an amicable draw.
In the final standings, Tenterfield finished fourth in their division which was a great result considering it was their first year in the higher grade. Most of their goals were scored by the inners, with the wings chiming in to do their part. The centre forwards are having their glasses adjusted prior to next year’s competition. All halves and backs were solid and skilful in defence and are a credit to the team. Injuries were kept to a minimum with Lib Melling’s multi-coloured leg bruise being the most prominent.
As always the team was helped to the championships by the Tenterfield Bowling Club, Hilliers Nissan and the Golfers Inn Motel, who contributed towards some flash black and gold jackets.
Megan MacMurray acted as the team’s umpire while the Inverell Hockey Association once again provided match practice, administration and enduring loud and enthusiastic support.
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