Div 3 - Sikhs 3 Tornados 1

The Div3 team played at Sengkang on Saturday afternoon, and went down to top-of-the-table Sikhs 3-1. The game was of two halves for Tornados, poor team structure led to a couple of soft goals (plus a very well worked one) by Sikhs to take them into the interval 3-0 up. A good team talk was had at half time: structure and keep possession were the two main aims for the second half. This was actually followed, which tightened up the defence nicely to keep a clean sheet. the right wing also was asking questions throughout the half, and after a build up including Naveen and Dan, Richard Goddard scored the Tornados goal.

Better swork will prevent this in future: team structure is always required so the aim for the next game is to do just that.

Improvement from this game was in discipline: we argued with the umpires a lot less than normal. If we can get the discipline working in our other areas, we still have a chance of a top 4 finish and then it's knock-out hockey to be played!

Thurs 30th Sep 8pm at Delta v CSC, 8pm - TO BE CONFIRMED

Sun 3rd Oct at Senkang P2 v Ngee Ann Poly, 6pm

1s Suffer in Scorching Heat

The First Team succumbed to a surprise loss today in sweltering conditions at Seng Kang.

Missing 2 key midfielders, and playing against a much younger C&C, the Tornados never managed to get into their stride. As the sun sapped their energy, they were unable to properly employ their, usually formidable, full-court press. They still managed to dominate the first half, yet were caught on the break just 3 times and came in at half time 3-1 down, much against the run of play.

It was not the day to chase a game and, despite the team spirit and commitment holding firm, the heat, combined with inferior fitness, meant that the final result was 5-1.

The League Championship, although not impossible, now seems a struggle. However, the Tornados still look strong to qualify for the knock-out competition.

10 Valiant Beez Lose 2-1

The 10 men of the Beez turned up at Sengkang to find 16 embryos from the Indian Association busy warming up for the match. Sloppy defending let IA in for their first goal but it was practically the only mistake the defence made during the game. Both the Defence and Midfield put 110 percent into the game and nobody can complain about the team's commitment. The Beez forwards had little support but managed to make a few chances for themselves.

The Beez went 2-0 down early in the second half from an excellent reverse stick hit from IA. Despite playing with only 10 players the Beez got back into the game with Agro (Mr Meat Popsicle) netting yet another goal. With the defence soaking up all the IA attacks the Beez even had chances on the break to square the game late on.

A very solid shift from the Beez despite the loss.

Div 3 result: Tornados 1 IA 1

The Div 3 mens team came away with a well fought 1-1 draw with the Indian Association early Sunday morning (well, anytime on Sunday morning is early!)

The first half was a scrappy affair with both teams complaining loudly to the umpires over several issues, and though the strange (through these rose-tinted specs) decisions kept coming, the game played on. The shin-padless IA no 7 capitalised on his light feet and wove through the Tornados defence with stick, ball and feet to slot in the opening goal half way through the first half.

Tornados stuck to their guns and carried on making clever decisions out of defence, and the second half started brightly with some good interplay between Sharoull and Daenan showed the Tornados weren't beaten yet. IA had sporadic attacks including a couple of PCs, but still the defence held. One tight moment with 10 mins to go saw the goalie keep the ball out and Tornados in the game. As the clock ran down, Tornados started putting together some fine, urgent hockey which ended with a fine hit forward collected by Richard Goddard and flicked left to Naveen. Naveen then slotted the ball lovely into the top of the net, bringing the scores equal at 69 mins. The urgency continued but just not enough time to get that second goal.

The beers were again well earned, and Calyton came away with MoM.

Thanks again to the supporters/managers, and we look forward to next weeks game (4:30pm, v Sikhs SC at Sengkang P2, Saturday 25th September, with the Beaz on pitch 1 playing IA at the same time).

Killer Beez really do sting!!

The Killer Beez found their form again to run out comfortable winners against the Cheeseheads. Goals either half of the break from Dr Fungus and a short corner strike from French Billy, on his debut after promotion from the 1's, saw the Beez win 3-0. Garfield at the back remained a noisy spectator for most of the game.

Notable mentions go out to Towners for trying to hatch the ball and Kotters for his frequent visits to the big white telephone in the changing rooms.

Hockey this weekend

Hi Tornados followers,

Tornados teams play three games on this weekend, with the game that was due to tonight being postponed by the SHF earlier this week. All games move to SengKang for the weekend, and will continue to be there for most games from now on. The pitches are great, having had both the Youth Hockey World Cup and Youth Olympics on them in the last year, but as we all know, it takes an age to get there. If you are going, make sure you plan in travel time.

Both the Div 1 and Killer Beaz, take on the mighty Orangemen this weekend. The KB's, by league position, seem evenly matched, with the Dutch being one position below the Killer Beaz. See them in action on Saturday 18th Sept, 4:30pm.

Div 1 team are lying second, with a won 2 drawn 2 record, and come up against a Dutch team yet to gain a point from their games. The game is on Sunday 19th Sept at 6pm.

The Div 3 team are in a loose sandwich between the two games, coming up against the Indian Association at 10:30am, Sunday 19th Sept. We know what IA are like, but a promise good turn out in numbers should bolster the team and make the game a lot easier than recent ones.

For info, Div3 team have had 2 reasons to be cheerful this week: first, the SHF overturned an 8-1 drubbing against JFA due to ineligible players, handing the Tondados a 3-0 win. That moved them to 3rd place. OK, it was won by default, but the team are anxious to capitalise on such leaps. Secondly, the dreaded Friday night game against CSC at SengKang was postponed by the SHF. The re-scheduled game is to be confirmed, but is likely to be at Delta on a Thursday night, much easier for everyone to get to.

Get your pom poms out boys and girls, and give the Tornados a cheers!

Tornados Hockey Social News

Dear All,

Just a quick couple of 'save the dates' for upcoming Tornados Hockey Club social events and functions:

Tornados Halloweeeeeeeeeeeeeeen Party!

When: Saturday 30th October, 2010 - 7.30pm till late!

Where: Harrys @ Boat Quay

Details: Fancy Dress!

(Pricing & ticketing to be announced............)

'The Agro Cup!'

When: Sunday 31st October, 2010 - 2pm onwards

Where: Hockey Village

Details: Intra-club 'State-of-Origin' tournament

These dates are FIRM in the diary. More information on registration for both events to follow soon........

GO TORNADOS!!!!!!!

Best wishes,

Fishy (Social Sec)