In stark contrast to last weekend’s uncomfortably hot weather, Hilton College relished the opportunity to move the ball around beautifully on a cool and cloudy day when they hosted Glenwood on the Mansergh AstroTurf on Saturday. They were rewarded with five goals.
The terrific Tino Hove opened the scoring through a well worked left hand-side attack. That move exhibited the hosts’ explosive brand of hockey and set the tone for the match, which they dominated in all aspects of play.
Credit must go to the two excellent umpires, Ayden Shrives and Brian Riddle, who allowed the game to flow, but also protected the skilful players.
Quality midfielder and captain, Jarred Kittoled Hilton well, demonstrating outstanding vision and pre-scanning, which enabled him to provide his strikers with plenty of opportunities. Masud Dakile He was particularly impressive in his hard running off the ball.
Hilton was on fire in the first chukka, winning turnovers and playing fast, with great connections and collective play. They peppered the Glenwood circle with dangerous 40m passes, combined with impressive ball speed, and the use of width and depth.
In the 12th minute of the first chukka, the hosts won their first of six penalty corners.
Credit must go to the Glenwood goalkeeper, Caleb Hendriksewho pulled off several superb saves during the game as Hilton’s surfeit of possession produced a steady flow of circle entries.
After Hove’s opener, man of the match, Grant Bridgefordconverted a penalty stroke for the home side, after a defender deliberately pushed a Hilton striker in the back, to double their advantage.
Later, with wonderful composure, he repeated the feat after Hendrikse was penalized for also deliberately pushing a Hilton player in the back, which extended Hilton College’s lead at half-time to 3-0.
With the Hilton coaching staff demanding more clinical finishing and better outcomes in the final third, their sharp strikers were in the game throughout, thanks to well-constructed phases of crisp passing.
Jarred Kitto was rewarded for his industrious game with a well taken goal fired high into the Glenwood net.
After a few more short corners to the home team, a beautiful baseline run ended with a fantastic diving finish from Oscar Steinerbringing the final score to 5-0 in favor of Hilton College.
