Friday 7 September 2012 vs. Macleans College
The final game of the season was against our traditional foes, Macleans College on Turf 2 starting at 11.45am. This game was all about supporting, thanking and paying tribute to the five Year 13 players who were playing their final game in the MAGS colours before leaving school at the end of the year. The goal was to finish 7th and avoid the tough Pool A at India Shield in 2013.
It was Macleans College who started the stronger and MAGS goalkeeper, Grayson Dauphin, was called on in the opening seven minutes to make two very good saves when he found himself in a 1v1 situation. The MAGS defense continued to hold tight and denied the Macleans team the opportunity to convert their two early penalty corners into goals. Front running striker, Oscar Lipscombe had a clash with team mate, Ryan Goode as they both went for a tackle and it was Lipscombe who came off second best, breaking his nose and he spent the rest of the half on the bench. However, the MAGS team made no mistake when they were awarded two penalty corners in the 17th and 22nd minutes of the first half. Captain, Daniel Panchia stepped up and slotted the ball away. Dauphin made a good save late in the first half when Macleans were awarded their final penalty corner of the match in the dying minute.
Half-time score: 2-0 MAGS
The second half saw the MAGS team dominate play in all areas of the game and as the pressure lifted the boys began to pass the ball around and enjoy the final thirty minutes of hockey for the season. The Year 13s were given the opportunity to spend much of the second half on the turf and all five were on the filed as the final whistle sounded. Oscar Lipscombe, broken nose and all played the final quarter of the match showing his determination and commitment to the team. Year 11 midfielder, Terry Gada who had played every minute of every game during the tournament scored the final goal for the team during half, which was thoroughly deserved. Seventh place, was a disappointing overall placing when the team were hoping for a top four result, however the effort and closeness of the results suggest there is not a lot separating the top teams at India Shield. Vice-captain Jonno Sinclair was awarded Player of the Match for his tireless running throughout the game and week. Daniel Panchia, Wade Somani, Terry Gada, Rabi Alam, Oscar Lipscombe joined Sinclair and Grayson Dauphin who were all awarded MVP points. Captain, Daniel Panchia, was awarded the India Shield MAGS Most Valuable Player at the Tournament and was presented with a certificate.
Final score: 3-0 WIN
Goal-scorers: Daniel Panchia (2) and Terry Gada
Player of the Match: Jonno Sinclair
MAGS MVP at India Shield Tournament: Daniel Panchia
On behalf of the players and team management I would like to thank our parents and supporters throughout the season for providing transport and encouragement from the sideline. Without your support this team would not have reached their potential, so we are very grateful.
Thursday 6 September 2012 vs. Hutt International Boys School
The 2.00pm start time on the newer but bouncier Turf 2 gave the team a slightly later start to the day, which was welcomed. Hutt International Boys School (HIBS) had lost the previous day after a stroke competition was required to separate the teams, so they were disappointed to be in the 5th-8th playoffs.
The MAGS team came out firing and had the HIBS team on the back foot from the opening whistle and were awarded their first penalty corner after just one minute of play. The drag-flick option was deflected high over the goal. Front running, centre striker had been trying to find his goal-scoring touch all week and it was in the third minute he unleashed a shot on goal that flew into the back of the net. MAGS up 1-0 and with Somani back on song the team were buoyed by the opening minutes of domination. Just five minutes later, Tim Sinclair added a second field goal from a wide angle finding the far post and the ball deflected off the post into the goal. Somani received an injury to his knee and as a result rolled his ankle just a couple of minutes later and had to be carried from the turf and would take no further part in the remainder of the game. The HIBS team was shocked into action as the tension grew. In the 13th minute the HIBS team converted a clinical drag-flick option penalty corner goal. The remainder of the half was very evenly contested with the MAGS defense keeping their goal clean even tough the HIBS team was awarded two further penalty corners. Mitchell Bascombe cleared the first in front of the goal.
Half-time score: 2-1 MAGS
The second half was unfortunately for the MAGS team all HIBS. They missed the front running of Somani and with regular striker, Shae Iswar, not available due to an appointment at the hospital regarding his broken nose sustained in the last Intercity game, the team welcomed back into the squad Ethan Duffin. Oscar Lipscombe who joined the team in 2012, coming with specialist football skills had gone from strength to strength during the season and particularly during tournament week, was left to cover a mountain of 
ground but to his credit he never gave up in the front running striker position. HIBS scored three field goals during the half and although the MAGS team was awarded two late penalty corners in the half the boys were unable to capitalize on the goal-scoring opportunities. Wade Somani was awarded Player of the Match and along with Somani, Tim Sinclair, Daniel Panchia and Terry Gada were awarded MVP points. The team will play Macleans College in the playoff for 7th/8th place in the final game tomorrow.
Final score: 2-4 LOSS
Goal scorers: Wade Somani and Tim Sinclair
Player of the Match: Wade Somani
Wednesday 5 September 2012 vs. Wellington College
The quarter final game on Wednesday has massive implications a win means promotion into the coveted premier Rankin Cup tournament and a loss means another year in India Shield. Wellington College had looked likely tournament finalists with a pretty easy run through their pool play, with winning scores of 4-0, 10-0 and 8-1, to date.
The MAGS team was up for the challenge and started the strongest team, settling into their game plan, which in turn frustrated the Wellington College team. The opposition turned over too much ball in the opening ten minutes, giving MAGS the confidence that goals would come if they were patient. Wade Somani, who has not been able to find the back of the net so far this tournament, was the first to open the goal scoring with an excellent team goal finished off in true Somani style in the 18th minute. This was a setback for the Wellington College team and MAGS tried to take the upper hand with a number of well-executed moves from defense through the midfield layers finding Terry Gada, Daniel Panchia, Jonno Sinclair and Ryan Goode on numerous occasions. Wellington College were awarded two penalty corners late in the first half and their drag-flick specialist was off-target with the first but leveled the scores with his second attempt two minutes later.
Half-time score: 1-1
Both teams were looking to break the deadlock, not wanting to be forced into a sudden death situation of a stroke competition. However, it was Wellington College who were the first to score from a field goal in the seventh minute. They again converted a drag-flick goal in the 15th minute after the umpire controversially awarded the Wellington College team a penalty corner from outside the 23 metres. This was a devastating blow to the MAGS team. However, they slowly built their game plan back into action and although the front-runners never gave up it just seemed the umpires were not helping their cause either. With just over three minutes to go Daniel Panchia converted a penalty corner goal. At this stage the coaching team decided it was all or nothing so made the call to substitute the goal keeper for a field player, so Grayson Dauphin came off, Rabi Alam went on and defender Henry Waller took on the kicking back position. In the dying seconds of the game Wellington College were awarded a penalty corner and were unable to convert the goal scoring opportunity. The game was over a disappointing loss for the MAGS team who had pushed the Wellington College team all the way. The MAGS team had produced their best game of the season and sadly it just wasnt good 
enough to win. Daniel Panchia led from the front, with his solid tackling and never give up relentless running and leadership. He was awarded the Player of the Match for his efforts and received MVP points along with Terry Gada, Wade Somani, Oscar Lipscombe and Henry Waller. The remainder of the team was awarded one point for their team contribution and composure, especially after the gut-wrenching loss. Tomorrow the team will play Hutt International Boys School in the playoff for 5th-8th places at 2.00pm.
Final score: 2-3 LOSS
Goal-scorers: Wade Somani and Daniel Panchia
Player of the Match: Daniel Panchia
Tuesday 4 September 2012 vs. St Pauls Collegiate School
Torrential rain, sleet and high winds continued to make warm up conditions miserable for everyone watching the 6.00pm match. It was a must win match for the MAGS team who were hoping for a win in their earlier match to take a little pressure off in the last game of pool play.
It was the MAGS team who started well and forced four penalty corners within the first 12 minutes. Unfortunately these opportunities were not converted into points, which was frustrating. The St Pauls defense played well and on the fourth occasion a St Pauls defender pulled off a miraculous save off the line as Daniel Panchia had the back of the net in sight. The conditions did not let up making for a tight encounter as was expected. There were two more opportunities for both teams later in the half from penalty corners and on both occasions the respective teams goalkeepers were up to the task.
Half-time score: 0-0
The second half grew in intensity as both teams tried to break the deadlock. Unfortunately, in controversial circumstances Oscar Lipscombe received a yellow card and was sin-binned for five minutes on two occasions during the second half putting extra pressure onto the MAGS team. Unfortunately during one of these occasions the St Pauls team were able to convert the first of the two penalty corner opportunities they were awarded in the second half. The MAGS team, to their credit fought back right to the 
final whistle trying to level the scores but to no avail. It was a game of lost opportunities. Player of the Match, Terry Gada, playing in the midfield left everything on the turf, working well on and off the ball throughout the game. Such was the pressure he has not been able to be subbed throughout pool play. Along with Gada, Mitchell Bascombe and Daniel Panchia were awarded MVP points for their contribution throughout the game.
The team will meet Wellington College in the quarterfinals at 4.00pm on tomorrow.
Full-time score: 0-1 LOSS
Player of the Match: Terry Gada
Tuesday 4 September 2012 vs. Rosmini College
The first of two games on the second day of the India Shield tournament was always going to be hard. The two teams had already played each other three times during the season and on each occasion MAGS had come out on top. However, the Rosmini College team arrived with their strongest team of the season and was ready to play right from the opening whistle. The 10.30am start followed a two all draw between Bethlehem College and St Pauls College, Hamilton who are the other two teams in our pool. The MAGS team had two goal-scoring opportunities when they were awarded penalty corners. The Rosmini goalkeeper had both options covered and the opposition was able to clear the ball. MAGS goalkeeper, Grayson Dauphin was called into action in the 19th minute when Rosmini had their first penalty corner attempt to break the deadlock. On their first attempt the ball was caught under the goalkeeper briefly, resulting in another penalty corner. This time the number one runner, Jeremy Barnett was out fast and on top of the Rosmini attacker before he was able to get a clear shot away. The remainder of the first half was very tight with goalkeeper Dauphin making some good saves and keeping the MAGS team in the game. In the dying minutes of the game MAGS had the final penalty corner opportunity. Unfortunately, Daniel Panchias strike on the ball flew past the right hand side of the goal.
Half-time score: 0-0
Rosmini College came out strong and had their first shot on goal within the first minute. Once again Dauphin was up to the task. Scott McPherson was finding more space than usual moving the ball forward from the defense into the midfield where he was often finding Terry Gada or Daniel Panchia. Oscar Lipscombe was tireless in his front running throughout the game. It was not until the 15th minute that Panchia was able to open the score line converting a clinical penalty corner goal. Just three minutes later MAGS had a certain goal saved brilliantly off the line by a Rosmini defender during a penalty corner. Rosmini were not out of the game and a minute later Dauphin was saving a direct shot on goal from a penalty corner. The final ten minutes were 
unbelievably long for both players and coaches. Both teams had chances that went begging. It was Rosmini who were able to level the scores with less than three minutes to go from a field goal. The MAGS team had a chance to win the game when they were awarded the last penalty corner of the game within the last minute. Sadly no goal was forthcoming. Goalkeeper Grayson Dauphin was awarded the Player of the Match for his excellent work defending his goal throughout the game. Along with Dauphin, Oscar Lipscombe, Terry Gada and Scott McPherson were awarded MVP points. This puts the pressure on for tonights game, which now becomes a must win in order to qualify first in the pool.
Final score: 1-1 Draw
Goal scorer: Daniel Panchia
Player of the Match: Grayson Dauphin
Monday 3 September 2012 vs. Bethlehem College
Terrible conditions greeted the MAGS team as they arrived at the Rosa Birch Park twin turf facility in Pukekohe. Turf 1 was completely flooded and two rounds of games were postponed as a result to 7.15pm tonight and tomorrow night. Thankfully the MAGS team were playing on the new Turf 2, which was unaffected by the deluge of rain.
The 12.15pm start time was still very wet overhead and not very pleasant for the MAGS supporters and photographer, Kate Meads, who had made the trip south down the motorway. The intensity from the opening whistle was evident as both teams tried to settle into their game plans and slowly but surely it was the MAGS team who were beginning to show a slight advantage and forced the first penalty corner of the match after five minutes. The first shot from captain, Daniel Panchia, was deflected off the post and Tim Sinclair was unable to gather the ball as it whizzed passed him. Against the run of play, Bethlehem College scored a soft field goal, which frustrated the MAGS team. Ryan Goode, Terry Gada and Panchia were finding good space through the midfield and at times linking well with the strike forwards. Both teams were awarded penalty corners midway through the half but neither team was able to capitalise on the goal-scoring opportunity. Thirty-minute halves gave the MAGS team a chance to level the scores when Panchia scored an excellent field goal in the 27th minute.
Half time score: 1-1
The pressure went on from the opening whistle of the second half, but the MAGS team was gaining momentum and only just turning the ball over at inopportune times forcing the defense to scurry back. Mitch Bascombe was getting some good passes through the right to left channel finding Tim Sinclair, Oscar Lipscombe, Wade Somani and Shae Iswar up front. In the first third of the second half once again penalty corners were not going to plan for both teams as opportunities went begging. However the winning goal came from a penalty corner awarded to the MAGS team in the 21st minute. This time Jonno Sinclair trapped the ball after a miss-directed drag out and he was able to eventually get the ball to Panchia who carried the ball into a more favorable goal-scoring position and slotted the ball into the back of the net. The final nine minutes were tense for players, team management and supporters alike. The final whistle went and the win was well deserved. The team showed a lot of heart to come back from the goal down. This was an excellent send off for Head Coach, Arun Panchia who leaves tonight for The Netherlands where he will play a season of club hockey for the first-time in Europe. The team is in good hands with Tom Guy, Matthew Cranston and 
Jared Panchia sharing the coaching roles. Tim Sinclair was named Player of the Match for his tireless work both on and off the ball. Along with Tim Sinclair, Daniel Panchia, Goalkeeper Grayson Dauphin, Jonno Sinclair, Shae Iswar and Ryan Goode were all awarded MVP Points.
Full time score: 2-1 WIN
Goal scorer: Daniel Panchia (2)
Player of the Match: Tim Sinclair
Thanks to Kate Meads who has posted great photos in her photo report despite miserable conditions.
