2002-2003 Spring Season Begins

Good weather greeted the start of the spring session with exciting plays from the scheduled teams. Rye men?s team continued their impressive run, as they were 9-1 winners over Big Apple who is still struggling to find consistency. But Big Apple ladies made amends later in the day by carving out a 4-0 win over Malvern in an exciting game. Greenwich 1 ladies (a.k.a. Rovers) are trying to get back on track and with new mom Karen Robinson were 4-1 winners over Rye ladies. Rye ladies although coming up short continues to show signs of improvement and will definitely be a team to be reckoned with in the future. Tri-state and Greenwich men?s 1 both picked up walkover wins from Big Apple and Westchester in the other games.

The league will take a break for the East Coast Premier League this weekend at York College in Queens but will resume on March 30th with a full slate of exciting games.

Read about Sunday 10th hockey action On an unusually warm day for November, teams continued to show the improved standard of play in the league this year. Top teams are no longer assured of ready wins and can lose on any given Sunday. This was demonstrated in the game with NYIW vs. GFHW1, in which the latter came from behind to win 3-2. GFHC played with nine players for most of the game as the Islanders dictated the pace of the game. But GFHC came into their own in the second half and took the attack to the Islanders. This paid off when they scored two quick goals to take the lead. GFHC was able to hold on to the win despite relentless attacks by NYI for the rest of the way.

The Islanders? men fared a little better against Westchester, securing a hard fought 2-0 win. The game, which exhibited some good hockey by both teams at times, also had some physical play by the Westchester players. NYI scored early in the game and should have been up by many more but the chances went a begging. However the ever-dangerous veteran ? Euclid Mahon was able to slot home an easy goal to finally seal the game.

Rye men also continued their winning ways with an emphatic 5-2 win over a depleted JFHC team. Although two men down, Rye had to work hard as JFHC matched them play for play. Both teams showcased skillful plays, although it would have been a better game if JFHC were at full strength. In the other game Malvern again turned up short of players but was able to hold off a strong challenge from GFHW2 for a 4-3 win.

The Fall schedule comes to an end this Sunday, November 17th, but all the signs are there for more exciting and intriguing results come next Spring.



Read about action on Sunday 3rd Nov On a cold Sunday at Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, Tri State Falcons dropped their first points of the season. TSF playing their worst game of the season so far, enabling a depleted GFHC team to eke out a 1-0 win, and hand Tristate their first shutout of the season. TSF were awarded a penalty within seven minutes of the game and failed to score when Randy Christie took a tame shot which stand in goalkeeper- Graham Rowbottam handled very easily. From then on TSF went on the attack but were unable to capitalize on numerous chances. GFHC playing a defensive game were able to score on one of their few but often penetrative attacks. As time ticked away, a mixture of stubborn defense and missed opportunities helped GFHC to come away with the win.

In other games NYI men held off a stubborn challenge from Grnm2 to help themselves to a 1-0 win. The game went back and forth with each team launching attacks on each other?s goal only to breakdown within the 25yd area. But Islanders showing great resolve was able to pull this one out.

NYI Ladies also had a tough game. They were unable to put away an improving Rye Ladies and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. The League and knockout champions were clear favorites to win this game. Islanders had the better of play thru most of the game but were unable to keep Rye at bay.

Current unbeaten team Big Apple Flickers Women(both men and women) continued their winning ways also. They came out 5-0 winners against Grnw2 in the day?s final game. But earlier in the day, in a hard fought game they came out 3-1 winners against Grnw1. Karen Robinson and the rest of Grnw1 ladies made BAFW worked hard for this win. In the end though it was the team that was enable to convert their chances that came out winners. The league continues this Sunday with some exciting games scheduled to be played



Tri-State continue their winning ways by posting an exciting come-from-behind win against Jersey Field H.C. Jersey jumped to an early lead by making timely passes and runs against a disorganized TSF team. TSF eventually came into their own and tied the game up at 2-2. From there on it was a back and forth battle between both teams. TSF persistence and fitness eventually paid off and was able to score the winning goal and keep Jersey F.H.C at bay for the rest of the game.

New York Islanders Women also found themselves in a tough game with Greenwich Women 1. Both teams squandered chances until NYI eventually went into the lead. Greenwich eventually tied the game and both teams then pressed for the winning goal. NYI was able to score the winning goal in the final minute to the delight of their supporters. In what was probably the most exciting game of the day, Rye men came out on top against league champions ? Greenwich Men 1. Both teams in the day?s opener exhibited good, clean and exciting hockey. Innovative runs and plays were the hallmark of this game. But Rye showed more purpose and will to win with two of the goals resulting from flatness in the Greenwich defense. Greenwich?s quest to get on even score exposed their defense, leaving their goalkeeper Chuck Carney outnumbered on few occasions.

Rye women also had their first win of the season with an emphatic 6-1 win over player-shortened Malvern. And in the stellar game of the day Greenwich 1 Ladies was a 3-0 winner over their Greenwich 2 Ladies, scoring the final goal off a corner shot just as time ended. The league continues next Sunday at Dewitt Clinton High School with five exciting games scheduled.

Last years champs Tristate Falcons redeem themselves by narrowly defeating NY Islanders in the semi-finals, then demoralizing Rye Hockey Club in the finals.

Tristate Falcons looked like the vintage Tristate Falcons in winning the John Greer Cup by a clear 6 - 0 margin over Rye hockey club.

In the first semi final where West Indian archrivals NY Islanders were up against Tristate Falcons saw a very tame game ending in a goalless draw. The resulting strokes gave last years champs Tristate a slim 4 - 3 victory.

In the second men's semi final long time archrivals Rye came up against league champions Greenwich Field Hockey Club. This was the major upset of the day as Rye Hockey Club stubbornly held Greenwich to a two all draw and pulled out the victory on penalty strokes.

Rye who were without their regular goalkeeper Milan Tyburec, placed field player Rohan Kalyanpur in goal and what a job he did in keeping star forward Dale McComb from getting his normal surplus of goals.

The men's final brought surprise winners Rye Hockey Club up to challenge last years champs Tristate Falcons. Tristate went to work early and after a few misses by ex US national player Randy Christie, Tristate found the nets off of Christie's stick. Shortly after Tristate other star forward Leroy Mayers found the nets from a beautiful shot that gave goalkeeper Kalyanpur no chance.

With five minutes left to play in the first half of the game the crowd in attendance saw the highlight play of the game. Tristates' Greg Best on receiving a pass from teammate Thorne dribbled four Rye players along the left sideline and passed off to fellow bajan Leroy Mayers for a wonderful combination ending with the second goal for Mayers.

After half time the crowd in attendance were entertained to Tristates' fast ball movement which was vintage Tristate of Mike Grannum's era, something we have not seen them do this spring. Three more goals were added to put the issue beyond doubt.

Congratulations to Tristate Falcons.



New York Islanders ladies team pulled off the double, by winning the A.E.Clarke trophy in a close and exciting game against arch rivals Malvern USA. !

Perennial double winners NY Islanders ladies team pulled out the victory in the NEFHA PLAYOFFS ladies final at Dewitt Clinton high school grounds yesterday.

In an exciting and rough game the orange and black colours prevailed over their arch rivals Malvern USA.

NY Islanders were the first to score after a missed penalty stroke by Malverns Penny Stephens. From a penalty corner the NY Islanders set play to pass the ball back to the person who initiated it found a wide open Robin Carrington who made no mistake in putting the champions ahead.one goal to nothing.

The most improved team in the ladies division Malvern fought back brilliantly. The Islanders defense put on a tremendous show by keeping the hungry Malvern ladies from scoring. Great goalkeeping by Hofstra bound Josann Jackson, and a MVP performance by Robin Carrington kept NY Islanders on top, as the Malvernites Penny Stephens and Jennifer Osborne continually put the pressure on the champions. On a beautiful solo run, Penny Stephens was able to dribble through five defenders and put one pass Jackson in goal.

Some exciting ball movement by both teams saw the end of the game tied at one all. Penalty strokes were the deciding factor in this keenly competitive ladies final. Two great saves by Jackson put the issue beyond doubt that the reigning champions has coveted the Anthony Clarke trophy for the second year running, thus winning both trophies for the ladies. Malvern finish second in both contests.

Congratulations to both teams for a game well played.

Greenwich FHC win the league championship, knocking Tristate Falcons off a 6 year throne.

After an entertaining and suspenseful game against 3rd place NY Islanders, Greenwich FHC take the NEFHA leage title for the first time in 9 years.

Finding themselves 0-2 at half-time the Greenwich side dug deep and equalised through 2 penalty flicks from Miles McGoun.

Chuck Carnie, resiliant in defence, provided the foundation for Jon Vernon-Browne to score a brilliant winner shortly before the final-whistle.

The playoffs are now eagerly awaited. Will in-form GFHC claim the 'double' or shall the coveted knock-out prize be won by another of the worthy contenders?

New York Islanders Ladies once more retains the league championship by winning the Grosvenor trophy. With one game left to play in the league, The New York Islanders Ladies team has shown its consistency by winning the Grosvenor Trophy for its league supremacy.

This is their sixth championship in succession. These ladies have proven to be real champions despite a change in coaching ranks and personnel.

Their captain and star forward Lisa Critchlow continues to run rings around defenders with her lightning speed and ball control. Their solid defense with the Carrington sisters and exceptional goal keeping by J. Jackson established from the very first game that they were serious about repeating. The steady play of their half line contributed heavily to their success.

Congratulations to the Lady Islanders.