Sweet victory for Vets
THE Maccabi Vets, the hockey club’s masters team, have registered a 6-1 win over Footscray in the grand final of the Victorian Masters Southern Division to win their second premiership in three years.
THE Maccabi Vets, the hockey club’s masters team, have registered a 6-1 win over Footscray in the grand final of the Victorian Masters Southern Division to win their second premiership in three years.
The Vets had a hugely successful season and were untroubled in the final, scoring five goals in the second half to take the title.
“It’s a very good feeling when you win,” Vets captain Daniel Grunfeld told The AJN.
“We had a very united team, and the older you get the more important the win is, so it really bonds you together. As they say, it’s all for one and one for all.”
Maccabi was able to deal with the horrendous conditions better than its opposition, but after taking the lead on 17 minutes through Norman Same, the side couldn’t convert more opportunities.
The Vets almost gave up their advantage when Footscray was awarded a penalty stroke, but second-gamer Roma Fridkin coolly denied his opposition, and kept Maccabi in front heading into the main break.
“The save was very important going into half-time,” Grunfeld said. “If they had scored it would have made it 1-1, and the game [would have been] in the balance.
“So I gave the guys a big rev up and they played really well.”
Maccabi came out with all guns blazing in the second half, and put on a dazzling display, romping to victory with another five goals. Wayne Levy led the way with three, while David Stollar and Yaron Flicker were also able to find the back of the net.
“It’s a good feeling to win,” Grunfeld said. “It’s exhilarating and drives you to see how far you go.”
The side won the winter tournament back in 2010, and came close again last year but fell short in the final, so it was a special victory after disappointment not long ago.
“We had a commitment to win all year and we did that, so we now have a commitment to win next season,” Grunfeld said.
“Everyone really puts in evenly, and we work towards a common goal to put the ball in the net and win the game.”
ASHLEY SHENKER
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