2014-07-26 Junior Newsletter
Photos of the U/11 and U/13 games can be seen here.
Round 11 Game Reports
U/15 - Surrey Park / Moreland v Camberwell
This week we played for the first time in what seemed like a long time at home, in front of our home crowd and in Surrey Park tops.
Things began slowly and before we knew it Camberwell shot out to a four goal lead. Everyone was giving their best but Camberwell's attack was pretty good and with only one long pole defender, we were found wanting.
Having said that when we did venture forward we were able to get a good shot off most times and with a bit more luck we would have had a few more goals on the board. Connor was peppering the goal and he was seemingly determined to catch up with Lachlan, who scored his first goal last week. Midway through the third quarter Connor took a great pass from Darcy – who else - and scored a very good first goal.
Noah and Xavier continue to grow into their roles and are now providing some good drive out of defense. Tom C and Jerry make up our famous seven and the lads are now far more competitive than they were at the start of the season. We lost to this lot 36 to 4 in game two. This week we went down 17 – 5. A win is on the cards soon.
Thanks to Sarah Jane, Noah’s mum for scoring each week. This week it is the other Camberwell side at Fleming Park.
I am looking forward to it see you all at training on Thursday
Nick Farley
Coach
Parent Help Needed: Photographer and game report writer for the U/15 Boys. If you can help, please let Nick Farley or Tanya Wick know.
U/15 Girls - Surrey Park/Camberwell v Caulfield
UNDER 15 GIRLS LOSE IN A TGHT GAME.
Our under 15 girls took on Caulfield at Caulfied on Sunday down a few players due to illness and injury but put in a mighty effort. Starting the game with just enough numbers and no bench it was going to be a hard slog. It was great start by the girls who were on top in the first half scoring 6 – 3 and a handy lead at half time. The most pleasing thing is the whole team pulled together and were clearly on top. Newcomers Mia, Ellie and Caitlyn are improving each game and are becoming valuable team members alongside Millie and Laura who also contributed.
The second half started well with three goals in the first 10 minutes of the half but Caulfield were pegging us back and drew level with 5 minutes to go. The girls were finding it tough with no bench while Caulfield had four on the bench and had the extra legs when most needed and managed to score on more goal late in the game to end up winning 10 -9
It was a great overall team effort with Sarah scoring 4 goals and single goals to Tayla, Ellie, Amanda ,Louisa and Maeve.
(Leigh Goucher)
Parent Help Needed: Scorers and photographer for the U/15 Girls. If you can help, please let Jacinta Toomey (team manager) or Nick Farley (Junior Coordinator) know.
U/13 - Surrey Park v Williamstown Cities
Surrey Park travelled to Greenwhich Reserve in Newport which has to be one of the most picturesque lacrosse ground in the state to play Williamstown Cities, who sit at in the top half of the table. The last time we played a Williamstown team a little over a month ago, we lost 20-1, but with a good win last week and really strong improvement across the group since then, the players were feeling more confident.
For three quarters, our young team were very competitive, and the score at three-quarter time was 8 to 3 - a terrific result. In the end, however, the older, and stronger Williamstown players wore down our young charges and the score line ended up being 14-3.
Harrison scored within the first minute following excellent transition from the face-off. Hunter found the going tougher this week in the face off, but still managed to win his fair share, with his technique improving each week (no doubt some tips from NCAA face-off specialist Liam O'Connor at training on Thursday helped!). When we got the ball out of the centre, we looked pretty good. Harrison also competed in a couple of face-offs, and through sheer determination won a few.
After a working hard at training, Blake played really confidently in defence, midfield and attack, and competed in a few face-offs. In the third quarter (where we went 2-2), Blake scored both goals to be Surrey's leading scorer. It was easily Blake's best game this season, and hopefully more improvement to come!
James, Daniel and Alice all had moments when they looked very dangerous in attack, and after doing the hard work to get in the right position, take the bumps of defenders, each had more than one opportunity to score. Some extra practice at home or school shooting (at the bottom corners) and catching will convert these opportunities into goals, and help others who had opportunities to score this game convert.
Julian continued his consistent form making life tough for Williamstown's attack and was terrific in getting in the path of fast running, and often larger opponents. Mitch once again had a great game, winning ground balls, cutting off passes in the defensive end and running the ball confidently through the midfield.
Perhaps a bit tired after running too hard at iPlay the night before, even when running three-quarter pace, Dylan looked dangerous in transition and set up a few opportunities for the attack.
Coach Blair's Best on Ground deservedly went to Lachlan, who continued his stellar improvement. Lachlan was strong and physical at the ball and made life very difficult for the Williamstown Cities Attack. Like the previous week, Lachlan's efforts in winning the ball in defence set up a number of excellent attacking plays. Well done Lachlan!
Ewan's best quarter in goal was the third where he played an important part in our excellent 2-2 result for the quarter, saving two from four scoring shots.
When the legs of our young chargers tired in the last quarter, the goals started to pile on as a few of the larger, stronger and fitter Williamstown Cities players got the better of us scoring six goals. Williamstown's largest player scored three of his four goals in this quarter. While we can all work on our fitness, sometimes there is not a lot you can do. It is the first three quarters that showed what Surrey Park's U/13's are capable of and what the players should be proud of.
Last week's great training session converted into a win. For a variety of reasons, we had a poor turnout at training this week and it showed. Hopefully everyone will be fit, well and available to make it to this week's training as we prepare for our game against Camberwell Blitz, who sit 6th on the ladder (only a few spots higher than us) and who we played in the first round losing by a respectable 10-5.
At training we'll now focus on our biggest area for development, which is transition and attack. Like with defence, there are some basics we need to learn and practice. (Keep improving your personal stick skills - it really shows on the field those who put in this effort. The US Lacrosse Organisation has a great 20-min wall ball challenge for the kids to practice. As it says on their website, "Stick skills are the basis of everything you need to be successful in lacrosse. It doesn’t matter if you are the fastest or strongest player if you can’t catch and throw. Stick skills are the great equalizer." Get practicing!)
Votes went to Hunter (3), Lachlan (2), and Blake (1).
Thanks to Coach Blair, scorer Leigh and umpire Ritchie for wearing the zebra stripes. Thanks also to Mel Mc, for taking the initiative to bring cut oranges (putting some balance to the snakes!). It was also great to see a number of grandparents coming to the games, watching their grandchildren with pride.
It's been a terrific season of improvement for the team. With continued effort we should be able to get a couple more wins before the season ends.
(Brent Dankesreither)
Parent Help Needed: Scorers for the U/13 Team. If you can help, please let Brent Dankesreither (team manager) or Nick Farley (Junior Coordinator) know.
U/11 - Surrey Park v Chadstone
Renalda was the star of the game scoring 4 goals & 2 assists, also bagging the three votes as the best player on our team as judged by the opposition referee. Leo was the second best player with 2 goals & 3 assists and two votes. He also kept the goal in the final quarter and came up with three excellent blocks of opponent's shots on our goal. Ashwin was third best taking one vote for his 2 goals and good defending in the second and third quarters of the game. Both Sam and Henry were also right up there with each scoring 2 goals & 2 assists. Noah and Griffin scored a goal each. As usual Domi kept the goal for the first half and when she got out to play in the mid-field she bagged an assist. Xander too had a good game in the mid-field and attack and proved to be unlucky to not score from a shot he had at their goal. Declan as usual started in defense but also spent a good deal of time in the front of the field and had a good run.
Parent Help Needed: Scorers for the U/11 Mixed. If you can help, please let Team Manager Charu Limaye know.
iPlay Report
With another night of mild weather 25 future stars for Surrey Park enjoyed another evening of Lacrosse.
Once again Xavier and Sarah were terrific with the Whistle and the coaching provided by Messer's Moore & Dankesreither was substantial.
The improved skill level is showing here and of course when the kids who play Saturdays follow up for a game - they are sharp from the extra work being done on Friday evenings.
The Sausages were great, well cooked by our BBQ Chefs. The fire is an instant draw card to conversation and of course Marshmallows. As the new building draws closer to completion we are discussing where we can put our fire so that this new found tradition can continue.
See you Friday!
Nick Farley
Junior Coordinator