during Macarthur’s over 35s NSW Masters hockey championships 4-2 win.
The current Macarthur men’s over 35s hockey masters team has staked a claim as one of the best ever after a superb effort at this year’s NSW championships.
Macarthur were very unlucky to miss out on a grand final spot when a semi final shootout went against them.
The over 35s NSW master’s hockey state championships held over three days at the Unanderra hockey complex in Wollongong and brought together the best of the state’s age group players, including many past international and national representatives.
The performance from Macarthur was nothing short of outstanding, despite exiting at the penultimate stage.
In their first tournament encounter, Macarthur defeated neighbours Sydney 3-1 in a grudge match dominated by Macarthur for the majority of the game.
Macarthur’s next game was up against Goulburn, who boasted 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games striker Glenn Turner and Kookaburra goalkeeper Danny McPherson in their line up.
Despite being 3-1 down, Macarthur continued to play fast and controlled hockey under the leadership of its own national player Troy Sutherland.
The local boys finished strongly to secure a 3-3 draw, a top result against quality opposition.
Macarthur scored a convincing 4-2 win over Illawarra in its third game of the tournament and backed up later in the same day to put Bathurst to the sword in an 8-2 demolition job.
The three wins and a draw helped Macarthur to second spot on the ladder and a semi final encounter with Goulburn.
In an exciting and very fast end to end rematch of 3-3 draw, the score was locked 2-2 at fulltime.
Which meant a best of five, one on one striker versus goalkeeper shoot-out to determine the winner and the team to go through to the 2018 decider.
And it was a battle of good goalkeepers, with Macarthur’s current Australian over 35s shadow goalkeeper Trent Knights and former Kookaburras goalkeeper Danny McPherson in the firing line.
Macarthur eventually lost the shootout 4-2 and in the grand final Goulburn went down to Newcastle 9-2.
Troy Sutherland was the sole Macarthur state selection from the tournament, although Trent Knights, Scott Dickson, Dean Cunningham and Ahnan Maqsood were named as NSW shadow selections.
- Macarthur masters players represent the South West Metro Hockey Association. For more information regarding local masters hockey contact Gerry Knights at the South West Sydney Academy of Sports on 0407 415 847
