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Territory Stingers women lose second Malaysian Hockey League match 1-0

The Territory Stingers suffered a double defeat in a tough round of games at the weekend. Read the latest.

Territory Stingers player Elle Richardson celebrating with teammates after scoring. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers
Territory Stingers player Elle Richardson celebrating with teammates after scoring. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers

The Territory Stingers men and women had a tough day at the office losing both matches in narrow scorelines.

The women, fresh off their historic maiden victory, suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Negeri Sembilan.

The Stingers had to dig deep for the majority of the game, relying on their rigid defence to stay in the contest.

Territory Stingers in action during their first season in the Malaysian Hockey League. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers
Territory Stingers in action during their first season in the Malaysian Hockey League. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers

Goalkeeper Ash D’Souza was the side’s standout player in the game and was under assault early however managed to keep the score nil-all into the second.

The Stingers were again pinned inside their half for the majority of the quarter, with D’Souza making a number of big saves and contributions from Chloe Pendlebury helping keep the ball out.

A scoreless third term for both led the two sides to push for a result in the fourth.

Despite the Stingers’ numerous attempts, the Negeri Sembilan players were a wall at the back.

Ultimately Negeri Sembilan broke the deadlock in the dying stages of the game, handing the Territory a 1-0 defeat.

Luke Broadway (second from right) celebrates a goal for the Territory Stingers. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers
Luke Broadway (second from right) celebrates a goal for the Territory Stingers. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers

As for the men, the Stingers came out the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline leaving their season tally at one win, one draw and two losses.

The Stingers’ opponent UiTM HA-KPT struck first off of a well organised counter-attack, later extending their lead to two after Lachlan Walters’ efforts in the net were in vain after a third ball drag flick.

Luke Broadway got one back for the boys in blue in the third, but the deficit went back to two as UiTM HA-KPT scored its third four minutes later.

Despite a strong finish, the Stingers couldn’t find the breakthrough in the final quarter, with Tarrant Haami-Jones and Huw Wiltshire leading the charge.

Territory Stingers women seal dominant victory in MHL debut

The Territory Stingers women’s side passed its first test with flying colours recording a resounding 4-1 victory.

Despite missing key players Julia King, Jemma Buckley and Elly Buckley, the junior Stingers stood tall in their absence, the likes of Holly Beath, Jordan Bliss, Naomi Evans, Estelle Hughes and Maya Nunn in particular impressing.

Playing the bottom of the table Mutiara United, the Stingers wasted no time getting in the thick of the action, scoring in the first quarter courtesy of a Destiny Batman-Peris volley off Naomi Evans’ well placed crash ball.

Territory Stingers in action during their first season in the Malaysian Hockey League. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers
Territory Stingers in action during their first season in the Malaysian Hockey League. Picture: Hockey NT / Territory Stingers

Evans scored a goal of her own 10 minutes later, striking a loose ball off a penalty corner.

United got one back before the break leaving the score 2-1 in the Territory’s favour.

Sound defensive efforts from a number of backs namely Sam Pangquee and Estelle Hughes set the tone in the third, resulting in Elle Richardson scoring her first of the clash via a reverse stick.

With the wind in their sails the women were full of confidence in the final quarter, maintaining high intensity game play.

As a result, Richardson was able to score her second goal in the 50th minute solidifying the victory.

Territory Stingers in action during their first season in the Malaysian Hockey League. Picture: Muhd Haziq
Territory Stingers in action during their first season in the Malaysian Hockey League. Picture: Muhd Haziq

Elsewhere the men were thumped 7-0 in their third game of the tournament.

Brought back down to earth following their unbeaten two game opening run, the men had no answers for the frenetic play and aggressive pressure of opponents Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

The second placed TNB cracked the Stingers’ back line in the 10th and 11th minute of the first to take a 2-0 lead.

TNB followed it up with a goal in both the second and third before adding insult to injury with two goals in the fourth.

Both the women and men take to the field again Sunday evening, the women at 5.30pm against Negeri embilan and the men at 9.30pm against UiTM HA-KPT.

Fans can live stream the matches here: rtmklik.rtm.gov.my/live/okey

Territory Stingers claim first Malaysian Hockey win

The Territory Stingers men have claimed their first win in the Malaysian Hockey League, as the women gear up for their first match of the season.

The Stingers started strong despite challenging wet conditions and playing just their second game on foreign soil as Territory talent went on full display in the win over Nurinsafi.

It followed their 1-1 draw against TNB Thunderbolts in the first match of the season, a game where the likes of Adam Luck and Leon Hayward showed their talents in goal.

Their positive play again paid off against Nurinsafi as they controlled possession and known talents such as Zach Rakkas were a constant danger.

Their performance was rewarded with the opening goal from an Adrian Lockley penalty stroke, but Nurinsafi’s short-range overhead game and speed in behind caused problems throughout the match.

Nurinsafi equalised at the start of the second quarter with a well-executed deflection from a penalty corner.

The Stingers steeled themselves and responded quickly to regain the lead through a scrappy field goal driven by Calvin Farmillo’s determination and finished by Jason Talbot.

Adrian Lockley scored twice in the win for the Territory Stingers.
Adrian Lockley scored twice in the win for the Territory Stingers.

Nathan Hochman controlled the midfield, setting the tempo and linking play effectively, while Karl Hochman was instrumental defensively, making key one-on-one stops around the circle and shutting down Nurinsafi’s attacking threats.

Lachlan Walters made his tournament debut, stepping up in the second half with multiple key saves, including a crucial phase of five consecutive repeat penalty corners as the Stingers lifted the tempo.

Despite a dominant period led by Lockley, Jeremy Mayne, and Rakkas, the Stingers couldn’t extend their lead and held a 2-1 advantage at three-quarter time.

The fourth quarter was scrappy from both teams, with Mayne taking a nasty strike to the face, forcing the Stingers to shuffle their line-up.

However, a brilliant penalty corner variation finished by captain Lockley sealed the result in the final stages.

The win marks the Stingers’ first victory in an elite competition in more than a decade, with Joe Lauritsen and Max Fraser also making their Stingers debuts.

The women will start their campaign inspired by the victory as they take on Mutiara-MSSSP-PSHA-PKS Uniten at 4pm local time on Saturday.

Fans can watch the match live here: rtmklik.rtm.gov.my/live/okey

The Territory Stingers women in training ahead of their first MHL match.
The Territory Stingers women in training ahead of their first MHL match.

The historic clash marks the Stingers women’s return to a competitive league, with current leaders Blue Warriors dominating the table with 12 points from four consecutive wins.

While the team will be without key players Blackstick Julia King and dynamic duo Elly and Jemma Buckley for the opener, all three are set to join the squad in the coming days.

Instead it will be a chance to blood some junior talent with Jordan Bliss, Holly Beath, Maya Nunn, Estelle Hughes and Naomi Evans all set to make their debuts.

Co-captain Samantha PangQuee said the side was excited to kick off their MHL journey and showcase Territory talent.

“The girls have put in the hard yards into our preparation and now it’s time to get onto the field, show skills and get the wins under our belt,” she said.

”It’s been a long awaited return for our Stingers men and women and we want to show we mean business and are here to stay.”

Originally published as Territory Stingers women lose second Malaysian Hockey League match 1-0

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/northern-territory/territory-stingers-have-claimed-their-first-win-of-the-malaysian-hockey-league-season/news-story/f1da291ff2f643053b41394ff3b1ef5e