Our under 8 players are having a great “season” with skills and small sided games at Farm Rd. Phoebe, Warren and other coaches Charlotte, Hayden and Alice are there to help the kids have lots of fun. Check out these skills for under 8s new to hockey this year.

As always a big thanks to all the players that doubled up, or changed plans at the last minute to fill in teams, and with huge number of players unavailable there was lots of that happening. This round, when many private schools are on holidays, is always a nightmare. A total of 20 players in Under 16 were unavailable, but with the huge amount of work by Tracey, and parents and players happy to do the “double up”, no teams forfeited.

It was a Donnie round with many of our juniors teams playing Doncaster, some at home, some at Donnie. The under 14 mixed pennant started the evening at Farm Rd with a huge win 7-1. The Southern goalies continue to show their style with Ashton Williams – young under 12 goalie taking to the field in the under 14 pennant team scoring a goal and showing great field skills. A hat trick in the game for Charlie Williams and two for Molly. Thanks to Douglas, Ashton, Molly and Laura who helped out.

The under 14 mixed shield had a tougher game against Donnie, but a significantly better result than the game in round 2, going down 5-2. Under 16 mixed shield finished the Donnie night at Farm Rd with a 6-2 win, thanks to Nick and Will for doubling up with the 16s, with three goals to Carlin, two to Craig and one to Will.

Under 16 mixed pennant who were suffering most of the under 16 teams with so many missing players played a massive game at Doncaster to go down 1-0. A great result with so many players out, thanks Digby, Zoe, Zac, Jonathan and Harrison for helping out.

In the oddity of fixturing, Under 16 black played a 9pm game at Monash, with no teams playing before them. Thanks to Will and Kate for helping out, a pretty reasonable result 4-2 down. The under 16 red team, with a cast of thousands from black – Tom, Ben, Harry and Toby – played St Bedes, without 3 of their key players who were helping out pennant, going down 7-0. Our under 16 teams are performing incredibly well, with both teams fighting to be in the four, currently red is in, and black 3 points out.

At Brighton the Under 14 girls continued their great season with a 7-0 win over Brumbies with Molly scoring 3 after her two in the mixed game earlier in the evening. While at Camberwell the under 16 girls probably had the match of the season with a 7-0 win over Camberwell playing with no players on the bench. A hat trick to Issy Bennett and two to Carien. Any win over Camberwell is impressive, but WOW. This puts the Under 16 girls in to the four, while the Under 14 girls remain on top of the ladder.

It was cold at hockey on Friday night, but the younger crew on Saturday morning had it tougher. Just as the under 10 quarter field was getting started, 0 degrees, feels like -2.1.

The under 12 mixed shield played without Warren at the helm, thanks Chris and Steve for filling in as coaches. At 3-0 down just after half time, it was looking grim, but the children picked up the pace to score two goals to be unlucky not to get a draw against a strong Waverley.

At Farm Rd, the under 12 girls pennant went down 5-0 to Bayside, while the Under 12 shield girls beat TEM 4-0 at a canter.

Under 12 mixed pennant and Under 12 mixed south had not only strong opposition to deal with, but also frost on the pitch. Thanks Sabian and Charlie from under 10s for helping out, it is great to get a full field game.

The under 10 girls half field with a few players aware were joined by Abigail and Bailey from quarter field, thanks for helping out girls, the girls won 6-0 with Abigail scoring one of the goals. The under 10 boys did not repeat the win of last week for Weang’s last game. Good luck Weang, it has been great to have you as part of the team.

The premier league teams played Footscray at Footscray, always a tough call with the doggies supporters so strong. Footscray men after a slow start to the season, have had a good run of the last three games: drawing with the unbeaten Camberwell and then a win over Melbourne Uni and last years runners up Powerhouse. Southern were 2-1 up at half time with goals to Matt l’Hullier and Macka, but Footscray came back pushing the score to a 3-3 draw with the dogs getting their last goal in the last minute. The premier league ladies had a tougher game, going down 8-1.

The men’s reserve also suffered the fate of a draw 1-1, while the women’s reserves went down 3-0.

Men’s Pennant D started the afternoon of hockey at Farm Rd on Saturday. Playing last years premiers Brumbies. First round the game finished in a 3-3 draw, but the result was very different this week with a Southern 3-0 win. Some great defence work from Andrew Layzell, with the goals shared by Rob Graham, Mel d’Cruz and Packo. It is great to see the young and more experienced working together to make a great team environment, and support for the younger payers as they move in to seniors. The age split of the team was 14 with Rylan and Sam, through to Packo, who is a tad older than the young boys.Men’s Pennant A followed in an important game to keep in touch, playing Footscray 1 point on the ladder behind the Southern boys. In Round 1 went down 2-1 to Footscray and with many pennant A players away it was going to be a tight game, and 4-1 at half time showed that. But with three goals in the last ten minutes the Southern team came away with a draw.

Men’s Pennant F played at Hawthorn with Julian Pratt continuing his big season scoring two, and one each to Stewart Fenton and Zach Abaniel. Men’s Metro A played Mentone, going down 6-2 with Scott Collie and Justin Branson scoring a goal each. It is great to see players who have played juniors come back to the club as they get a bit older and continue playing for the club and we have quite a few of these boys in the metro A team.First round of the season saw Pennant E go down to Melbourne High 4-5, this week the result was better with a 2-2 draw. Ken Sandars stepped in to double up in goals and did a great job, with Liam and Dave Fisher scoring goals.

The Metro B team had a tough game against Bayside at Dendy going down 10-0.

Women’s Metro A team continue their incredible season, now 10 games, 10 wins, what a great record. Saturday playing Casey the score was a massive 15-0. The young girls here also are key to the team, Molly scored five giving her a tally to 10 for the weekend, while Hope scored four. Amazing work girls. Metro B played Casey the next day, also at Farm Rd, also taking the 3 points.

Women’s pennant F have also had a great season so far, with 8 games and 8 wins. On Saturday at Farm Rd they played 3rd on the ladder Gipplsand Bulls for a 3-3 draw. Women’s pennant B also came aware with a draw, 0-0 against MCC. The Pennant B ladies remain in the four with only a few points separating two through five.