BSHS Country Week Boys Hockey 2001

This year we selected a team of 14 - one more player than in past years. Richard Powell, Chris Payne (goalie), Ben Gardiner, Scott Hastie, Michael Krachler (Capt.), Chris Howe, Greg Hearn and Hayden Scott were our upper school members. Andrew Atthowe, Ben Mason, Leigh Gardiner, Brodie Russell, Luke Kieley and Sam Brown were our Year 10s. In reality we had quite a young team for the hurly burly of Country Week, but we did very well in finishing third and the younger players performed brilliantly. For the record, we had three draws and three wins. Narrogin, who yet again won the competition, struggled to draw with us, but in the end, the three draws which could have easily been wins, given a bit of luck, meant that we played for 3rd or 4th.

Leading goal scorers were Mike Krachler with 4 goals (he scored in four out of six games), Richard Powell 2 goals, Luke Kieley 2, Greg Hearn 1, Sam Browne 1, and Leigh Gardiner 1.

Ben Gardiner and Scott Hastie worked well as fullbacks, and Ben also showed great leadership in times of crisis. Greg Hearn and Luke Kierley both played superbly and showed why they were selected in the State U/16s. Congratulations lads. “Payney” was great in goals in his usual quiet way. Leigh Gardiner, Ben Mason, Andrew Atthowe, Hayden Scott all contributed well in defence and attack. Richard Powell showed tremendous skill as did Brodie Russell. Sam Browne provided a good avenue of attack and will benefit from the experience. Hayden Scott proved versatile but left half was his best spot.

Now, there was someone else. Oh, yes! Krachl! Mike lead from the front, mainly as a forward. He tried very hard and it wasn’t for his lack of effort that we didn’t get to the final. Congratulations Mike on being a great captain.

I’d sincerely like to thank the hockey lads for giving their utmost. I thoroughly enjoyed your company and I wish you all the best for your hockey in the future.

From an article by Alan Osborne in the 2001 Kingia magazine.