Noah Pitt’s state selection was a silver lining for North West after they were denied a State CHS Boys Hockey Championship semi-final berth on goal difference.
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North West coach Dane James was left to wonder what could have been after a late fade-out against South Coast effectively cost them a spot in the semi-finals.
They finished a still credible sixth after losing their play-off at Pennant Hills on Thursday, but James was lamenting a 15 minute period in their opening game when they conceded four goals to, from 1-all go down 5-1.
In fairness they probably should have been leading four or five-nil at half-time.
“We had 70 per cent of the possession in the first first half but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net,” he said.
The loss proved decisive with North West missing out on the semis by three goals after they, South Coast and Sydney East all finished with three wins and a loss.
It was disappointing, James said, but they did play some “really good hockey” over the week and improved two positions on last year.
“I was really impressed with the guys. Their effort and attitude was good,” James said.
North West bounced back from the loss to South Coast with a “lucky” 3-2 win over Sydney East, the match-winning goal a bit contentious.
There was some question whether the ball crossed the line, James said.
“It was a very scrappy game, both teams struggled to hold the ball and use it properly,” he said.
They then beat Western 5-3 first-up on Wednesday.
“It was a really tough game. They worked us really hard and picked up our key players well,” James said.
North West managed though to take a 3-2 into half-time.
“The 15 minutes after half-time we played some excellent hockey. We held the ball well and played smart and put two quick goals on them,” he said.
After Sydney East then upset South Coast it meant North West had to win by nine goals against Sydney West to make the semis.
They put themselves in a good position to.
“We were up by six goals with 19 minutes left on the clock and we didn’t score another goal,” James said.
“They worked hard on shutting us down.”
Pitt will now play against CCC and CIS.
“They liked his versatility,” James said.
After playing the first day as an attacking midfielder, James put him into the backs for the second day and moved him between the two roles.
Sean Aslin (Tamworth High) and Rohan Lawrence (Duval) were a couple of others to impress with Aslin earning his peers vote as their best.
