Hockey all set to go places

Bahrain Hockey Association (BHA) continues to go from strength to strength as it forges ties around the GCC and beyond.

Last weekend saw the visit of the Dubai Hockey Club for a four-team, six-a-side competition that allowed themselves and the Bahrain-based Hungry Hamours vital game-time ahead of a tournament in Oman at the end of the month.

Ultimately, it was these two sides that contested the final having finished in the top two positions in the league stage. Having won the league at a canter, Dubai also won the final with a comfortable 4-0 victory thanks to a hat-trick from Alister Macdougall and a well-worked team goal from Darren Haveron.

Dubai Hockey Club, a side formed in 2003 that now features more than 60 members including a number of former internationals, were worthy winners and ably demonstrated the level to which Bahrain hockey has to aspire.

The BHA also demonstrated its commitment to youth development by entering a side containing four juniors, all aged between 13-14.

Coach David Axtell said: “I genuinely believed that we had a chance to cause an upset or two and I’m disappointed that we did not do better. However, this weekend proved the need for experience and having the opportunity to test themselves against some former internationals will do our local players good in the long-term.

“It is important to provide those wishing to develop in the sport regular competition that is not always available in Bahrain to the desired level. The team from Dubai is several notches above what we have in Bahrain, both individually and in their team-play.

“There were discussions after the tournament about reciprocal visits that will include junior teams in the future which is an exciting development that will help to bring us closer to parity with other countries in the region.”

The league finished:
Dubai Hockey Club P3, W3
Hungry Hamours P3, W1, D1, L1
Bahrain Hawks P3, W1, D1, L1
BHA Development P3, L3

The burgeoning youth set-up is testimony to the hard work of a number of coaches and many of the children turned up to watch the adults in action.

The sizeable crowd pleased organiser Jude D’ Souza, who added: “It is wonderful to see so many hockey enthusiasts, young and not-so-young, come out to support the local teams and welcome our guests from overseas.”

After the tournament, Australian Chris Laxton of the Dubai Hockey Club, praised the facilities at St Christopher’s School. He said: “The trend to lay the latest 4G pitches has left us devoid of a proper hockey pitch. It was nice to come and play on a fast and true surface, although it took us a little time to adapt to our best hockey.”

Another Dubai organiser, Tony Halliwell, added the visitors had enjoyed playing a competitive tournament ‘in the right spirit’ of the game.

After the main six-a-side competition there was a fun penalty shoot-out. Rather than have players line up to take standard penalty flicks, attackers start with the ball near the halfway line and were allowed eight seconds to run in and beat the ’keeper using normal rules, including the opportunity to collect rebounds and shoot again.

This proved a great leveller with the ’keepers saving far more than they missed. In the final, Jason D’Souza of the Hungry Hamours belied his size to show great agility and mental alertness, thwarting the majority of attempts at his goal. The only goal scored came from a stunning tomahawk (reverse stick hit) when Alister Macdougall lifted the ball into the top corner that saw Dubai secure their second trophy of the weekend.

Earlier, the BHA development squad pushed the Hamours close, with Chris Bloodworth doing all he could in goal, yet only Freddie Salmon was able to maintain a 100 per cent record scoring both of his attempts.

The tournament against Dubai was sponsored by A Hockey World, one of the fastest-growing global hockey websites.

The Hungry Hamours, established in 2006, will be the only one of the 12 teams from around the GCC playing in the Oman tournament that will feature women and children in their squad.

The majestic Sultan Qaboos Stadium, probably the most impressive hockey facility in the Gulf region, will play host to five local sides and seven visiting from within the GCC, all competing for the Starcare Cup. The squad, sponsored by Grub Shack and Kudos Travel, consists of Justin Xantho (C), Kevin D’Cunha (VC), Jude D’Souza, Jason D’Souza, Ellen Leon, Mohammed Fikry, George Axtell, Sara Axtell, Rubert Castellino, Anson Sequeira and Renzo D’Cunha.

The BHA is continuing to develop hockey at a local level and has recently forged ties with both RCSI and the Bahrain Rugby Football Club with the aim of offering coaching on a regular basis at both facilities. Those interested should contact either Jude on 39658618 or David on 39432133.

The squads:
Dubai Hockey Club – Tony Halliwell, Aneel Kesry, Sebastian Kolandijan, Mark Tiley, Christoper Laxton, Darren Haveron, Alister McDougall, Adrian Jennings. Hungry Hamours – Kevin D’Cunha, Renzo D’Cunha, Jason D’Souza, Mohammed Fikry, Anson Sequeira, Jude D’Souza, Frigco Kwaaital.

* Young stars awarded accolades by BHA were George Axtell, Llewelyn Forward, Freddie Salmon and Oli Bloodworth.