Mens 1st grade report 10th July

This weekend Ryde, still missing a couple of representative players, played Sydney University at Homebush.

The first half was very even until the last 3 minutes of the half when Ryde scored 2 quick goals from Alex Jones, a penalty corner, and Alex Braude, a field goal to go to half time at 2 – 0 up.

In the second half Sydney Uni scored first, then Alex Jones scored again for Ryde to make the score 3 – 1 to Ryde.

However, with 5 minutes to go Ryde’s defence eased off to let Sydney Uni convert 2 quick goals to make the final score 3 - 3.

Ryde, missing 3 representative players, travelled to Narellan to play South West Strikers for an evening game.

There was a slow start to the game but it was pretty even when SWS scored after 15 min from a field goal. Ryde equalised from a penalty corner by Jay Cormack to go to half time at 1 – 1.

In the second half Ryde came out strongly and justified their position just out of the top four. Ryde’s forwards started to get on top and scored after 10 min from an Alex Jones penalty corner. However SWS equalised with a field goal not long after.

Ryde persevered and Jay Cormack made it 3 – 2 from a field goal. 10 min before time, Alex Jones scored again with an unstoppable drag flick into the top corner from a penalty corner to make the final score 4 – 2.

Mens First Grade Match Report 19th June


Burwood Briars came to visit Ryde this weekend with confidence they would go home with 3 competition points against a Ryde side they defeated in the first round.

The first half was a tough lesson, Ryde attacking with speed down the edges and picking up the first goal of the match through exquisite passing play finished off with a back stick shot by Nic McEwen. Briars hit back shortly after with a superbly executed penalty corner which left the Ryde defenders stunned... a second Briars blow was struck when a defensive cross field pass was intercepted and calmly slotted...taking Briars to a 2-1 lead. Ryde regrouped and got back to their task, having the better of the attacking play culminating in Duncan Pearce dragging the ball knee high into the net from a penalty corner just before 1/2 time...Ryde definitely had the better of the first half but went to the break with Briars still in the game at 2-2.

In the second half Ryde showed no such chinks in their armour...they dominated midfield and kept the ball wide attacking repeatedly. Brairs occasionally breaking back only to be stopped in their tracks by excellent tackling and defensive positioning followed up with exceptional distribution on the rebound. Ryde took a while to break Briars down but the goal was always going to come...That winning goal produced by speedy, accurate passing play and ending as a quality team goal should...a gentle tap in at the far post by Jay Cormack. Ryde coming out on top 3-2, a well earnt win.

This weekend Ryde travelled to the ‘shire’ to play the strong Sutherland club, with the honours on the day going to Sutherland with 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses for the 8 games contested. Ryde will have to wait till the final round to extract revenge.

First grade mens let Sutherland get on top early in the game, and they scored 3 easy ‘tap in ‘ goals. It was then Rydes’ turn to dominate and they scored from a penalty corner to Alex Jones, and then a well constructed goal to Nic McEwen, after good lead up work from Duncan Pearce and Cameron Brown to go to the break 2 – 3 down.

The second half started with Sutherland on top and again scoring first, before Alex Braude struck back to score for Ryde from a rebound off the keeper to make the score 3 – 4. There were numerous chances to both sides for the remainder of the game, with Sutherland scoring to take the game 5 – 3.

ryde hockey - mens 1st grade v UTS


Ryde mens 1st grade played UTS on the weekend at the Keith Thompson Hockey Centre at Macquarie Park with star NHL members Duncan Pearce and Andrew (TJ) Todd missing due to representative duties.

Ryde played constructive hockey from the opening whistle and took an early 2 – 0 lead from penalty corners goals by Andy Wright and Alex Jones.

Two further field goals by Alex Jones and younger brother Matt Wright took Ryde to a 4 – 0 lead at the half time break.

After the break UTS fought back and scored 2 goals before Ryde again kicked into gear and finished the game with field goals from Jason Cormack and Matt Wright to make the final score 6 – 2 to Ryde. This was a good result from Ryde’s younger players.

ryde hockey - mens 1st grade report

1st Grade v Norwest Strikers score 1 – 3

This match against competition leaders Norwest Strikers, who boast numerous NSW rep players, was a very fast and skilful game with Norwest dominating play early in the first half, and Ryde successfully defending many penalty corners. Norwest scored first from an ill-directed pass by Ryde in defence.

From then, Ryde played class hockey to finally equalise late in the first half from precision passes from Andy Wright to Duncan Pearce to Andrew Todd who scored to make it 1 – 1.

The second half continued at the same pace with Norwest being forced into many errors by the focussed Ryde players.

Unfortunately, a poor umpiring decision late in the game, and while Ryde was in attack, saw Norwest reverse the attack and score two quick goals in succession to make it 1 – 3. Ryde applied intense pressure but could not finish off against the class Norwest defence.

This was a class game in which 10 of our local juniors stood up and matched it with the best players in NSW. Coach Bill Greenlees was full of praise for the young team after the match.

Best for Ryde were Andrew(TJ) Todd and Duncan Pearce.

Ryde vs Glebe 1st Grade

Ryde have warmed up for the top of the table NWS with an emphatic win over arch rivals Glebe. A fast and furious game was to appear with goals, cards and big hits. With a score to settle after an Albury defeat the Ryde boys looked confident from the outset. This confidence resulted in a very crisp passing game. One such passing move came down the left flank where the ball was presented on a plate for B-raud, who after some consternation got the pill methodically into the net. Ryde continued to control the game without to many chances and kept Glebe to some half chances where Mick Sneesby did superbly well to smother. In the 5 minutes around half time Glebe were reduced to 9 players but no further goals came to avail, but not for a lack of trying.

The second half started with Ryde controlling most of the possession and looking strong. A deserved second goal came after strong build up play doen the right flank resulted Nic Mcewen taking a shot on target, a first goal of the season loomed before Jay Cormack made sure that the ball hit the backboard and took the shark of the swason so far. Shortly afterwards against the run of play Glebe were awarded a short corner in which they managed to find to back of the net. Instead of deterring Ryde to attack, attack was what Ryde did for the next 10 minutes with Duncan and TJ prominent, whilst the forward line was proving a handful. The two goal buffer ws soon restored when Jay did superbly well to score with a third effort lying on the ground. Glebe came out a bit stronger after this goal, but were rather generous as they missed an open goal. No profligacy showed in their next goal with an outstanding tomahawk from the top of the circle leaving the crowd in awe. At 3-2 Ryde then secured the all important 2 goal buffer with 7 minutes on the clock remaining. A gut busting run from the defensive baseline down the right wing and into the circle from Duncan set up TJ who coolly finished and brought the crowd into delight. Glebe piled on some late pressure, not only on the ball, but towards out players where some wrestling tactics were used. The pressure was successfully dealt with until a set play brought about a third goal for the number 9 with only 2 minutes on the clock. "Squeaky bum time" ensured but Ryde held on for a well deserved victory and a third in a row over Glebe in Premier League. A strong NWS unit awaits, but with this performance as a benchmark we will be well placed.

Davo Derulo

Short match report 8 May 1st Grade Men v Bankstown

On the occasion of Ryde "New players night" The Ryde Panthers took on the well heeled "Silvertails" of Sydney hockey, Bankstown. The game was destined to be a tough battle with Bankstown trotting out its stable of stars including Australian player Glenn Turner (GT), NSW Goalie Dan McPherson & ex Ryde full back Lee Cormack. The first half started with a strong midfield tussle both teams matching each other with classy passages of play. Ryde slowly gained the ascendency with Nic McEwen and Jay Cormack (yes Lee's little brother) starring on top of strong play from our midfield & defence. The deadlock was broken midway through the half by a 'razzle-dazzle' penalty corner which saw four touches before the ball struck the backboard from the stick of NSW AHL player Andrew Todd. An excellent half of entertaining hockey, Ryde ahead at 1/2 time 1-0.

The second half started with Bankstown in full attack holding Ryde in their own half for extended periods. Ryde held firm, regularly rebounding to cause the Bankstown defence grief. Bankstown levelled the score 20 minutes into the half through an awe inspiring individual run from Glenn Turner ending in a tomahawk that gave the Ryde goalie no chance. 1-1, Bankstown went into the lead with their second goal shortly after. Ryde fought hard to get back into the match, gaining opportunities for what would have been spectacular goals had the final touches connected. Bankstown put the result beyond doubt late in the game through another freakish run & strike from Glenn Turner. The final result Ryde 1 losing to GT 3 ...I mean, Bankstown 3.

Mens Hockey Match Report: Ryde v Sydney Uni

The Ryde –Sydney Uni Hockey match has become something of a passionate local derby of late, leading to some tense matches and today was no exception. It was a fast paced and free flowing game that saw Ryde go down 1-0 early in the game to a well scrambled goal, meaning they would have to win from behind. Numerous attacking raids from Ryde produced no joy until just before halftime when TJ (Andrew Todd) opened the scoring for Ryde with a great field goal to level the scores at 1-1 at half time.

The second half saw Ryde go on top early with another TJ goal off a penalty corner as the match continued to flow end to end. Some great goal keeping from Mick Sneesby and great defending by Andy Wright prevented Sydney Uni from adding to their score, whilst strong running from the Ryde players including Duncan Pearce created numerous scoring chances which TJ duly converted one late in the game for a well deserved hat-trick. Duncan and TJ certainly showed why they are in the NSW AHL squad as Ryde ran out 3-1 winners putting on some great entertainment for the crowd.

This week’s game will see Ryde take on St George at Ryde 8pm on Saturday which should be another cracker for the crowd.

John Arnold

Mens First grade - short match report 17/4/10

The sun shone brightly as Ryde made the long trek to Ern Smith Reserve to take on Moorebank. The game started slowly with both teams probing for a weakness after 15 minutes it was Ryde to show the first chink in their armour going down 0-1 to a 'classic' deflection goal. The tussle resumed with Ryde soon striking back through a clinical Alex Braude strike after a non clearance from the Moorebank defence. 1-1 the status quo remained until Moorebank went ahead just before half time with a low penalty corner drag flick 1-2 at half time.

The second half was more of the same with Moorebank holding possession and building attacks slowly and Ryde countering with determination and flair. A Duncan Pearce penalty corner drag flick levelled the scores midway through the half followed short while later by the killer blow landed by Moorebank another classical, simply worked, goal. 2-3 that was the score at full time Ryde going down to a team that was better organised and put a higher value on possession of the ball.

Mens First grade – Sat 10th April 2010

The Panthers from Ryde took on Burwood Briars at Cintra park Concord this week in an early season match up that, on paper, looked fairly even. The game started with an extented midfield tussle in which neither team could break out into full attack. As the half progressed Ryde looked to be gaining the upper hand only to be dealt a blow against the run of play through a Briars counter attack that saw the ball unsuccessfully cleared from a cross & consequently slotted wide of the goalie for Ryde to be down 0-1. Undaunted Ryde soldiered on winning a penalty corner ten minutes later which was converted by a classy Duncan Pearce drag flick into the bottom right corner 1-1, a few miuntes later the ball fell to Duncan again and he gave the goalie no chance as he sent the ball rocketing into the roof of the net with a tomahawk to take the score to 2-1. The remainder of the period to half time was filled with some solid defence from our backline & goalie, no change to the score.

The second half started with the pressure on Ryde as Briars launched a series of attacks that drew some outstanding defence from goalie Mick Sneesby along with our backs in scintillating passages of defensive play standouts at this time were Andy Wright and Will Humphries. Ryde defensive efforts came to nought though when Briars slipped through for a goal that was executed so well it looked more like an attacking training drill. 2-2. A a short while later Briars took the lead with a contentious goal that saw the ball lifted into the air then played at waist height in a crowded circle...goal awarded despite the pleas of the Ryde defenders. Time still for Ryde to lift & get themselves back into the game but their chances were depleted by poor discipline resulting in 2 yellow cards in 3 minutes. Ryde kept the pressure on Briars til the last second of the game having the run of the play and more scoring chances in the final ten minutes...but Briars held their composure to come out on top 3-2.

Gerald de Waal

Premier 1 match report

Ryde took on Gordon this week, for their 1st home match of the year looking to impress a healthy crowd. Nic Mcewen and Ben Craig were away due to rep commitments. The game started poorly for Ryde as we struggled to move ball quickly from the back. Gordon made us pay for a mistake at the back with a good counter attacking goal. There were glimpses of good play during the first half however we couldnt get any moment and we went into the break trailing 2-0. The 2nd half again saw us struggle to move ball around the field however we improved a little bit from the first half and created a few more chances up front. The game ended with gordon winning 5-2 with goals coming from TJ and Duncan.

cheers
Gerald

In Saturdays Premier League first round clash, Ryde Panthers took on South West Strikers from Macarthur at the Sydney Olympic Park hockey complex as part of Sydney Hockey Association's Premier League Gala Day.

Ryde opened the scoring almost immediately with a Duncan Pearce penalty corner drag flick ricochetting off the keepers glove into the roof of the net. Next to score was Panthers rookie first grader Matt Wright who picked up the scraps from a save by the SWS goalie with an opportunistic strike. Play shifted end to end until half time with neither side making significant headway. Halftime score 2-0 to Ryde.

The second half turned to a dour struggle with neither side giving way SWS scored from a penalty corner when a set play gone wrong landed the ball luckily at the feet of an unmarked striker...2-1 to Ryde. Stung by the goal Ryde went back on the attack with SWS defending doggedly until a scything individual run from ex Great Britain intenational Andrew Todd ending in a sliding deflection by Shane Dalrymple restored Ryde's two goal buffer.

A fine team goal shortly after, tapped in by young gun Nic McEwen put the result beyond doubt. SWS scoring a consolation goal in the dying stages of the match.

Final result Ryde 4, South West Strikers 2