Regardless, all teams soldiered on, sometimes with the assistance of players from opposing teams helping out. I love the sportsmanship in Cowra Hockey – thanks to all players that helped out and well done.

Eight keen Minkey’s braved the cold to work through drills, and boy, are they getting good from skills that were on display. Beau Smith continues to show that he is the gun striker of the future, scoring quite a bit, although he had his challengers from the opposing team who weren’t having any of it. Last week they received their team socks, so lets see them on this week Minkeys.

Waugoola Motors got the better or Cowra Hire in Juniors, beating them 5-0. Clare Harrris was let loose into the forwards scoring two goals and Poppy McGuiness managed to also break through for her team. Hannah McKay putting another two in made the game out of reach of Cowra Hire in the short timeframe available.

Saints weren’t so lucky against Mr Embroidery, although goals from Chloe Muddle and Elsey Watson made sure they weren’t going to have it all their way.

Brayden Dowd for Mr Embroidery had a blinder of a game, putting to good use the extra training he’s been getting, and taking the role of primary scorer. Hugh Williams first year at hockey is bearing fruit. Imogen had some good runs as well up the field and also added to the point score.

The game finished up with a 8-2 win to Mr Embroidery but also a mention of the good work from Emilia McGuiness, Chloe Muddle and Jemima Scammell for Saints. Great close game between LES and Cowra Toyota on Field 3. Phoebe Smith pushed hard for LES, but Harriet O’Dea and Aiden Green were having nothing of it, clocking up a win for Toyota. Great play by Lecksi Killick, Gemma Sutherland and Georgia Williams showed themselves worthy of best player points, as did Nick Green, Victoria Bragg and Olive O’Dea.

The depletion in numbers last week was most noticeable in the Intermediate games and were run thanks to the sportsmanship on opposing teams. Canowindra started with very few players while awaiting them to finish off their soccer games. When the ranks started to fill, the goals clocked up thanks to Isobelle Lynch. Still with a number of players out, the remainder worked hard and used the full width of the field.

Will Harris used his ever increasing skills to work through the defense and put one on the scoreboard for Cowra Auto. Great support though from the rest of his team, with special mention of Misty Williams, Cate Sutherland and Claire Harris.

Best Players for Canowindra were Isobelle, Thomas Mitchell and Claire Wright. It was a tough game for an under strength Cowra Glass side when the faced Bryants. Glass played hard and kept up with the pacey Bryants. Elsey Watson kindly joined the Glass team to bolster numbers. Elizabeth Bragg showed stubborn defense for Bryants and Brayden Dowd played strongly all match in the striker position for Bryants, scoring four goals. Depp Ryan and Kara Hinderager broke from the mid field to also make their mark on the scoreboard for a further four and a final score of 8-0.

Best Players were Brayden Dowd, Kara Hinderager, Kaitlyn Spring, Harriet O’Dea and Aiden Green. A hard fought game between Golf Club and Bowlo’s made for treat for the spectators. Golf Club with their usual young talent in players such as the Hinderagers, Will Smith and Dempsey Farrell-Grey were tightly controlled by Justin Smith through the centre.

Axton Farrell-Grey was under the pump at times by Bowlo’s forward line who worked in concert with the mid field to put on a well co-ordinated game. Sarah Richardson joined the young ranks of Golf Club, challenging the Bowlo defenses. Sarah, with Kara, Janae and Elka Johnstone appeared a well rehearsed forward line.

The Bowlo defense, supported by a vocal keeper in Gundo, did well to hold back Golf’s attacking line. Justin Smith managed to run forward on a couple of occasions to pierce the defense, but Bowlo’s strong showing had answers in in the form of two goals from Andrew Francis, and one a piece Maddi Bott and Ingrid McKellar.

For Bowlo’s side, it would be hard to differentiate between the group, but Best Player points were awarded to Jack Baker, Ingrid McKellar, and Lizzane Blackmore in her maiden game for Bowlo’s. Best Players for Golf Club were Justin Smith, Terina Johns and Kara Hinderager.

Young Games

Put your name down. Sunday, July 8 the first of our Young-Cowra games (YOUCOW Cup) will be played on Sunday July 8 at Young. It’s a day that the Senior/Opens players look forward to as a day of great hockey, playing against our Young friends in gendered games.

Last year we also had Crookwell come to join in the fun by bringing a High School aged mixed team to play against our Intermediates, which only improved the day.

So, back by popular demand will be Crookwell, and Young also will be adding teams. We have expanded it out to also include Primary aged mixed teams (8 a side).

There will also be a BBQ put on by Young – Cowra players asked to bring a plate of fruit or cake.

If you are a player of any age group, put your name down at the canteen or on Facebook, or speak to one of the executive. It promises to be a great day. Packham Cup. – Sunday 12 th August.

Who remembers Packham Cup last year in Wagga? We took away a men’s, women’s and two primary 8 a side teams and we did very well. We had strong feedback that we should do it again. Please, for ease of organization, please put your name down either at the canteen, Facebook, email or speak to one of the executive sooner rather than later.

Sports Person of the Year

Proudly representing Cowra Hockey, Xavier Gauci was in the running this year for Sportsperson of the Year. Happy to be mentioned for the same award as some pretty incredible sportspeople in Cowra, Xavier should be well proud of his efforts for hockey that got him nominated in the first place, representing Cowra, Bathurst and Western Region in various teams.

Cowra Hockey is well proud of his commitment to the club on a weekly basis in his coaching, umpiring, attending meetings and general helping out. Good on you Xav!

Rock the Socks!

In recent weeks, the team socks have finally arrived and have been handed out. Please remember to wear your new socks as they identify you as part of a team and assist with umpires who need to look at feet quite often to make a determination. And they look good!

If you haven’t yet picked up your socks, please speak to Justin, Gai or Lisa Robertson.

Draw round 8, Saturday, June 23 

11:30am Minkey

Juniors

11:30am Cowra Hire V Saints JF1

11:30am Mr Embroidery V Cowra Toyota JF2

11:30am LES V Waugoola Motors JF3

Intermediates

12:30pm Bryant’s V Canowindra Field 1 Rosellas ref

12:30pm Cowra Auto V Cowra Glass Field 2 Canowindra ref

Seniors/Opens

1:45pm Canowindra V Services Club Field 1 Golf Club ref

3:10pm Golf Club V Rosellas Field 2 Services Club ref

Bowling Club Bye

Canteen duty

10:30am – 1:30pm Cowra Glass

1:30pm - 3:30pm Golf Club

Next week - Bryants, Services Club.

Please pick up the pies etc from Royces if you are on the early shift for canteen. If you are on the last shift, please remember to take in the cones from the emergency entrance. Thank you.