The WeWaks have avenged last season’s shock semi-final loss to Taipans Strike with a strong 9 – 4 win in the division one top of the table clash.
The meeting between the competition’s two unbeaten sides was expected to be an entertaining encounter, and it didn’t disappoint, as both teams played at a high intensity and moved the ball across the court at a rapid pace.
However the WeWaks strength and physicality enabled them to overpower the Taipans as the match went on, running away with the game in the second half for a deserved victory.
It also helped them gain some revenge for last season’s semi final loss, where the Taipans stunned them 11 – 3.
For the WeWaks, Michael Pallister was outstanding in a man of the match performance, with his mid court dominance and pressure in attack allowing his side to control proceedings for most of the match.
Pallister scored five goals, as well as setting up two others and was ultimately the difference between the two teams.
Greg Rodwell also produced another strong performance across the court, with his stick work instrumental to setting up many of the WeWaks scoring chances, whilst Ross Corcoran provided excellent support for Rodwell in the mid court in a solid showing.
For the Taipans, who were unable to use their speed and quick ball movement effectively due to the WeWaks close marking, Jack Purcell was their best, whilst David Speldewinde produced some moments of brilliance without ever dominating.
Pallister opened the scoring for the WeWaks in the third minute, when he produced a strong tackle on Purcell, before pouncing on the ball and sending a quality finish into the back of the net from the mid-court.
The Taipans however enjoyed the better of the next 6 – 7 minutes, with goals from Purcell, who scored from the sideboards and Speldewinde giving them the lead.
The WeWaks however regained the lead with three goals in the final three minutes of the half, with Pallister scoring twice and also setting up Corcoran as they took a 4 – 2 half time lead.
Rodwell scored in the first minute of the half to open up a handy three goal buffer, however the Taipans came back again, with Craig Williams scoring from an easy tap in and Brett Howlard sending a shot from the mid court between Pallister’s legs to reduce the margin to a goal with ten minutes remaining.
However the WeWaks steadied and regained control when Pallister scored his fourth after James Simpson found him unmarked in front of goal for an easy finish.
The WeWaks then dominated the final stages of the match, with goals to Rodwell, Corcoran and Pallister’s fifth in the final seconds of the game rounding off a strong performance.
The WeWaks dominance of the Wednesday night floorball competition has continued, following a 14 – 3 thrashing of an undermanned Kick R’s in a lopsided opening round clash.
After a comprehensive final grading round win over the newly included Vikings, the powerful WeWaks line up produced another classy display which they dominated from start to finish, only this time against a regular seasoned opponent.
Kick R’s were always going to struggle when they came into the game with just three players, which saw Chris Thomas and Richard Williams cross teams for a half each, to ensure the match didn’t become any more lopsided then it did.
However the WeWaks skill level and ball speed was far superior to their opponents, dominating territory and possession for the easiest of wins.
It was strong all round team display from the WeWaks, with Williams, Thomas, Greg Rodwell and Michael Pallister all scoring three goals a piece, whilst Ross Corcoran was unlucky not to score three himself, hitting the post twice to go along with his two goals.
Rodwell was the most impressive, with his mid court control creating many of the WeWaks scoring opportunity, adding four goal assists to the three goals he scored himself.
Shane Martin was again the most threatening for Kick R’s with his ability to threaten the goal from the half line almost resulting in a couple of stunning goals, with one shot hitting the post and another missing the post by a matter of inches.
Jai Hill also battled hard for Kick R’s, however he was no match for his opponents.
The WeWaks made the perfect start to the game, scoring two goals in the opening minute through Pallister and Williams, both of who had time and space just outside the box to put easy finishes away.
This dominance continued as the half progressed, with the side piling on another six goals before the break, as they went into half time comfortable 8 – 1 leaders.
Williams and Pallister especially caused havoc in attack, scoring three and two goals each for the half, whilst Corcoran’s first half goal was a highlight, when Rodwell won a tough challenge near the boards and sent a brilliant pass across to Corcoran who was running through the middle of the court for a classy finish.
Kick R’s only goal of the half came on the back on a defensive lapse by the WeWaks, when Shane Martin was left alone in his attacking half, with a loose ball finding him in clear space, leaving him plenty of time to run into an open goal.
Kick R’s enjoyed the better of the opening five minutes of the second half, denying the WeWaks space and possession, as they had a rare period of control.
Williams scored the opening goal of the half for Kick R’s, however this just spurred the WeWaks back into action, with Rodwell taking control of the mid court as they piled on the next six goals.
Rodwell’s third of the match was a highlight, winning a face off and then running through the Kick R’s defence for the easiest of finishes, to put the side 10 – 2 up.
Thomas also scored an incredible goal just two minutes later, sending a shot from a near impossible angle at the boards past three Kick R’s defenders, despite not having a view of the front of the goal when he took his shot.
Pallister and Thomas added their third goals inside the final two minutes, whilst Hill scored in the final minute as a late reward for the overpowered Kick R’s.
The NEW ZEALAND Floorball website is now live. Please update your international links. We are also happy to reciprocate your website link for greater search engine optimisation for everyone.
NZFF is to host its inaugural AGM in May 2008.
NZFF is in the process of affiliating with SPARC – the Government authority on National Sporting Organisations.
NZFF will be adopting the countries anti-doping policy.
NZFF is hosting the ‘KIWI CUP’ in late June 2008 in WELLLINGTON. If your members require more information to attend please request.
NZFF is aiming to consolidate the more than 1000 schools that play Floorball in New Zealand.
NZFF is entering its first national team in the APAC tournament in Perth, August 2008.
The schedule for C-division of this year's World Floorball Championships is as follows:
ROUND ROBIN 21.04.2008 - Monday 11:30 - Liechtenstein vs. Australia 14:15 - Canada vs. France 17:00 - Georgia vs. Spain 20:15 - Serbia vs. Slovakia
22.04.2008 - Tuesday 12:00 - Korea vs. Georgia 14:45 - Spain vs. Serbia 17:30 - Liechtenstein vs. Canada 20:15 - Australia vs. France
23.04.2008 - Wednesday 17:30 - Georgia vs. Serbia 20:15 - Slovakia vs. Korea
24.04.2008 - Thursday 12:00 - France vs. Liechtenstein 14:45 - Australia vs. Canada 17:30 - Korea vs. Spain 20:15 - Slovakia vs. Georgia
25.04.2008 - Friday 17:30 Serbia vs. Korea 20:15 Spain vs. Slovakia
PLAYOFFS 26.04.2008 - Saturday 11:45 - 4th B vs. 4th A (7th place Match) 14:30 - 1st A vs. 2nd B (Semi-final Match 1) 17:15 - 1st B vs. 2nd A (Semi-final Match 2) 20:00 - 3rd A vs. 3rd B (5th place Match)
27.04.2008 - Sunday 10:00 - Loser Semi 1 vs. Loser Semi 2 (Bronze Medal Match) 13:00 - Winner Semi 1 vs. Winner Semi 2 (Championship Match)
The seventh international floorball tournament of Costa del Sol has been announced. The tournament will be played at Costa del Sol Fuengirola, province of Malaga.
The IFF Referee Committee has appointed the following referee pairs to referee the World Floorball Championships C-Division, to be played in Bratislava, Slovakia, April 21st-27th 2008:
Daniel Bartosek/Michael Bartosek (Czech Republic) Petr Cerny/Jiri Janousek (Czech Republic) Johan Kruseman/Eelco Hoogwout (Netherlands) Roy Kristoffersen/Trond Erik Olsen (Norway)
A Tynan Whight goal with just seventy seconds left has given Chelsea a thrilling 6 - 5 victory over Taipans Strike in the Wednesday night floorball competition grand final.
In a highly entertaining contest worthy of a premiership decider, the game appeared headed for extra time when Craig Williams levelled to scores for the Taipans with two minutes left, before Whight was able to find space on the right hand wing, with his shot flying into the back of the net to give his team a deserved victory.
The win completed a great turnaround for Chelsea, who were in trouble half way through the first half when they fell 3 – 0 behind, and made up the disappointment of losing last season’s grand final to the WeWaks.
The defeat was devastating for the Taipans, who had improved remarkably throughout the season to reach the grand final, and were left to rue a couple of controversial refereeing decisions which came back to hurt them late in the game.
6 months after their first foray into the Czech Open, the Revolution Sharks European contingent has been on the court again, this time in the Stockhom Korpen Cup.
The FAWA Elite Series Grand Final Playoffs are underway, with WA Kookaburras defeating Revolution Sharks in the first of 3 games. The FAWA B Division is also moving into the finals phase after ladder positions were wrapped up on Sunday.
After the Spanish match, the boys were fired up for a different game against Canada, and thinking back to the first game against Canada, they were keen to show that they were better than a 1-11 loss, and this they did. This was the most…
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The FAWA Elite Series Grand Final Playoffs are underway, with WA Kookaburras defeating Revolution Sharks in the first of 3 games. The FAWA B Division is also moving into the finals phase after ladder positions were wrapped up on Sunday.
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The NEW ZEALAND Floorball website is now live. Please update your international links. We are also happy to reciprocate your website link for greater search engine optimisation for everyone.