Whoopee! There are some very excited u15's coaches and their GKs over this windfall. And they threw in a new bag for balls (gone to ANZ Bank Arrows) for good measure. As we said last week, when you find the right guy it pays to hang on to him. Thanks James at Just Hockey, Mail Order- Melbourne.

Under 15's coaches, please ensure your JUNIOR GK kits are returned to the office NOT THE STOREROOM, as senior teams have already "accidentally" raided these. It's in your own interests to ensure your junior kit remains in tact and in good nick. Seniors - there is ample GK gear, these kits are clearly labelled JUNIOR kits, seniors should ensure they check the bag labeling before accessing any equipment. Once a senior side has identified the senior kit they will use, it is in your best interest to ensure it comes back in tact each week. One goalkeeper, a fill-in, left the entire kit strewn on the grass. Senior teams, please ensure your GK does the right thing. You'll need this gear again next week.

The storeroom is not a free-for-all! To the person or team who continues to help themselves to the u11's white "junior" balls - DON'T! The balls in bags also belong to u15's teams, so don't take these and the balls in the bag marked "MINKEY" are light weight balls for little tackers only. Please people, others are trying really hard to keep this gear in its proper place, stay out of the storeroom.

On a brighter note, we are seeing some wonderful newcomers to hockey this year. Welcome to everyone who is playing hockey for the first time.

There has been some great efforts all round from all the newies at all levels, but we'd like to give special mention to these players who seem to have taken to hockey like ducks to water and had stand out matches last week - Lachlan Boyd in ANZ Arrows steps up every week, Aaron Friend has joined Aussie Hotel and his enthusiasm is contagious, young fella, Andy Burgin burst onto the scene for Gills Girls and impressed many.

Umpires, please don't forget to note best players on the back of the score cards, three from each team. Captains, coaches, please use the cards or attach extra paper for your team's write-up. There are lots of players, not just the BPs, making your game special, give them a mention.

One last thing. We had some very spirited play last week with lots of very tight tussles between some very competitive people and the best part was while the odd "ohh" or look may have been exchanged the games continued uneventfully. Yes, there were a few questionable umpiring decisions, a few accidental body clashes but it was a credit to all teams, especially some of those temperamental senior players, that competitiveness didn't equate to aggressiveness and the games were started, played and finished in fine spirit. Let's see if we can all maintain that tone of play right across the board - well done everyone!!

Last Week's Round-up:

Minkey: It is great to see our numbers increasing every week as the little people in Cowra enjoy learning the basic skills of hockey.

This week we started to learn how to tackle another player with the ball, this is a difficult skill and we began by having two players pushing the ball against each other's stick, this activity was enjoyed by the players.

We also continue practice hitting, pushing and stopping the ball.

Players are all working hard to earn the player of the week trophy and get their name in the paper so I must apologise for not putting a report in last week, sorry Haley. Player of the Week last week was Haley Amos, for good goal scoring.

Player of the Week this week went to Bella Russell for her great hitting.

Minkey hockey is a basic skills-based session held on Saturday mornings from 11:15 till 11:45am -12pm.

We start with the basic skills needed to play hockey and work up to playing small games later in the season, we have players as young as four years this year, it is not to late to start minkey hockey if you have or know of any young children who may be interested in playing minkey or would like any further information just turn up at the hockey grounds on Saturday at 11:15 or phone Di on 6341 1860.

Under 15's: Cowra Glass 2 vs Cowra Smash Repairs 2

Cowra Smash Repairs: Cowra smash repairs had a great game with good defending from Kodie Draber and Anna Mclean. All players played well with Thomas and Jack Baker picking up their ball skills.

Once again our goalie Skye Pratt kept the opposition out of the goals to keep the game level at 2-all.

Congratulations to Cowra Smash Repairs for a really hard earned draw. Goal scorers were Anna McLean and John Clarke. Best players were Anna McLean, Thomas Baker and Jack Baker.

Cowra Glass: Goal scorer was Joel Watt - 2. Best players were Bill McAlister, Joel Watt and Jamie-Lee Gourlay.

ANZ Bank 6 vs Elders Red 3

Elders Red: What a valiant effort Elders made. ANZ are a gun side and we did well to keep them at 2-all at half time.

Hayden did his tour of duty in the goal this week and despite the score line did a fantastic job.

Emma Francis and Claytyn Feeney had their work cut out for them in the back line and did well to keep the Arrows at bay. Mikaela Metcalfe is improving with every game and made many great tackles.

Daniel White revelled in the role of CH and had a dynamite game. Elliott played well in the halves backing up in defence when he was needed. Jess Matthews played her best game this season in the forwards scoring a goal and later in defence - her free hits repeatedly penetrated deep into ANZ's half.

Elyse Petty kept her scoring averages in tact with another good goal this week. Brendan found playing a half hard going but once put in at CF appeared to have been given a new lease on life - the coach should have put him there sooner.

Brody Hannan took one for the team - he couldn't wait to try one of the new ice packs.

The power house Josh Dunk played well up front and managed to nab himself a beautiful goal.

A tough game with many great moves and tackles by both teams.

Goal scorers: Jess Matthews, Josh Dunk and Elyse Petty. Best players were Brody Hannan, Claytyn Feeney and Emma Francis.

ANZ Arrows: The Arrows continue to go from strength to strength.

This was not an easy game and many players had to step up and be accounted for.

Sarah White and Samantha Banks did a great job in the goals, with Anna White and Blake Falconer helping her in defence. Valerie Simpson was unstoppable at times on her way to a six-goal haul.

Best players were Valerie Simpson, Lachlan Boyd and Nicole Coutanche.

Seniors: Gill's Girls 4 vs Elders Big Reds 3

Gill's Girls: Goal scorers were Sarah Brydon - 1, Valerie Simpson - 2 and Todd Duffey 1.

Elders Big Reds: Goal scorers were Cherie McCabe - 2, Elyse Petty - 1.

Townhouse 8 vs Aussie Hotel 1

Townhouse: Maybe it was having the Dunk's back that stirred the Townies up - who knows but what a game.

Di Clark played her usual valiant game in the goal - you could almost see her melting in the goalie gear in the warmth of the day. With plenty of subs players got a taste of many different positions on the day.

Casey Bowerman from Grenfell made her mark on the game with two great goals. The speed queens of Ashleigh and Simone Simpson made the going tough for the opposition defence.

Sam Medway played a solid game constantly attacking and scoring two strong goals in the process.

Alex Gourlay once more showed his skill with the stick and nabbed himself a pearler in the second half.

Andy and Dave Howarth were a constant menace with Andy dazzling us all with his fast movement and adept stick work whilst on his way to three goals.

Samantha Dunk backing up for her second game of the day played great in defence and Jesse Medway, also backing up for a second match also played strong. Best players were Dave Howarth, Jill Dunk and Samantha Dunk.

Aussie Hotel: Best players were Kristy White, Catherine Blume and Carin Moss

LJ Hookers 1 vs Railway Hotel 1

LJ Hookers: WOW - what a fantastic game of hockey.

I think spectators and players will agree that this was a hard fought battle that ended very evenly.

Well done to the entire LJ Hooker team who showed a lot of heart and maturity to keep the score even.

Briony was our saviour in goals with the save of the year just before the full time buzzer.

Andrew was tireless in the half line and kept the team running well - I would like just some of your energy.

Our other halves Jaime and Allan did well to keep a strong Railway at bay.

The forward line of Elliot, Anna, Shaun, Paul, Eric and Nicole ran all day and kept Railway on their toes. Jess made some crucial tackles in the back line and we managed to come away with a draw.

Best players were Briony Jonkers, Andrew White and Anna McLean.

Railway Hotel: Railway Hotel had some new personnel this week freshening up the remainder of the old line up.

Toby Nobes and Mitchell Gray brought some younger legs to the forward line, and the indomitable Carmel Dalton made a steam-rolling return to right wing after a three-year absence. Marion Rose made a return to hockey (and umpiring), sparked by son Bill's (Cowra Glass) nagging. Thanks Bill. Bronwyn Dowd, always consistently strong, brought youthful exuberance to the side. Skye Pratt, as GK, is by far our youngest defensive scrambler, and scramble she did.

Onya Skye for another great performance this week.

An early deflection goal by the opposition (Farley) saw Railway playing catch up. Eventually, the Big G, Gary Smith, picked up a through ball, adeptly leapt over by Elka Johnstone, to run it into goal with a fullback riding him all the way.

Well done Gaz. Bronwyn, Elka and Spoon (Glen Falconer) all had solid games. Additional goals by both sides went unregistered.

A 1-all draw to finish seemed fair with both sides launching repeated attacks on goal and both defences working hard to keep points at bay. Best Players were Marion McAllister, Elka Johnstone and Carmel Dalton.

Draw June 2

Under 11's: Start 11:15am sharp Field 2 behind the canteen.

Minkey for the littlies: 11:15am sharp Field 1 in front of the canteen

Under 15's: 12:30pm F1 Cowra Smash Repairs vs ANZ Bank Arrows Umps: Marion Rose and LJ Hookers x1 Ump. Coach: BC Hannan

Field 3 Elders RED vs Cowra GLASS Umps: Townhouse x1 and Gills Girls x1

Going well umpires, keep up the good work. Well done teams for ensuring commitments are being fulfilled. Teams are reminded they need to provide at least one umpire each week. Penalties apply for non-provision of umpires.

Seniors: 1:45pm F 1 Townhouse vs LJ Hookers Umps: BC Hannan and Maree Dykes

1:45pm F 3 Aussie Hotel vs Gills Girls Umps: Elders BIG REDS x2

3:10pm F 1 Railway Hotel vs Elders BIG REDS Umps: Anne Brown and Anthony Clarke

Anne and Anthony are both very experienced umpires, if there are any umpires wishing to be "coached" on the late game please see these guys. Thanks Mrs Brown and Mr Clarke for your time.

Canteen Roster: Under 15's - Elders Reds; Seniors - Townhouse