Times Advocate, 1995-09-13, Page 14Page 14
Times -Advocate, September 13, 1995
Shuffleboard
Hensall
September 5
6 game winners
Jim Davis
Evelyn McBeath
Tom Williams
Dave Woodward
Hazel McEwan
John Pepper
Pearl McKnight
Ethel McMurtrie
Exeter
September 6
5 game winners
Marge McCurdy
011ie Esscry
Ina Williams
Delmer Skinner
4 game winners
\Vilma Davis
Allen Johns
Doris Denham
Jim Davis
3 game winners
Gordon Hoggarth
Lloyd Lovell
Ruby Beaver
Howard Johns
September 7
4 game winners
Doris Miller
Muriel Marshall
Howard Johns
Wilma Davis
3 game winners
Delmer Skinner
June Hodgson
Gil Northcy
Tom Williams
480
463
418
409
404
395
384
379
428
368
355
220
355
236'
184
164
256
238
183
117
381
357
337
323
279
257
229
226
LIN
111: iNlf,\.. i'-? fttu- i u
Sunday, Sept.17, 1995
1 800 387-1200
Minor hockey
players get a
head start
Exeter Minor Hockey Association
teach the basics at hockey school
Chris Skalkos T -A staff
HENSALL - As minor hockey
gears up for another season many
young players are getting a head
start on the game.
The Exeter Minor Hockey As-
sociation has wrapped up its five
day Hockey School, and the 120
players who attended the camp will
head into their
try -outs well pre-
pared.
Head Instructor
Dave Partridge
along with assist-
ants Greg Pfaff,
Clayton Hefley
and Gavin Snell
coached four
groups at the Hensall Arena be-
tween the ages of six and sixteen
on the hasics of the sport.
"We're trying to put the emphasis
on the hasics instead of the frills
and fancy drills," said Partridge.
"It's surprising to see so many kids
who don't have the fundamentals."
Skating, passing, shooting and
puck control are the most im-
portant skills the instructors are try-
ing to instill in their students.
"Passing is the one skill they
need to work on the most. 1 don't
think you can practice it enough,"
said Partridge.
"It's straight forward hockey, and
its a good way for them to get their
hockey legs back," added Snell.
After being off the ice for the
summer it was the first opportunity
for many of the players to shake off
the cobwebs and to test out their
gear before the season begins.
"This gives the kids a chance to
check out their new equipment and
get accustomed to their skates he -
fore try -outs," said Hefley.
The four instructors have over 15
years of coaching experience be-
tween them and are all actively in-
volved with minor
hockey during the
season. They say the
caliber of skill
among young hock-
ey players is high he -
cause of the com-
petitive nature of the
minor hockey league
in Exeter and the sur-
rounding areas.
"There is definitely more com-
petition today. , Kids are well
coached and there is always the op-
portunity to work toward higher
and more competitive levels of
play," said Partridge.
Daryl Bourne and Tim Snell,
both 11 years old, played for the
Exeter Broncos last season and
plan on trying -out again this year.
They feel the hockey school is a
fun way to sharpen their skills be-
fore the season begins.
"It's a fun way .for kids to learn
how to play hockey," said Bourne.
"My passing and skating has real-
ly improved a lot," said Snell. It's a
good way to work on hockey skills,
I'm looking forward to a good sea-
son," he said.
"We're trying to
put the emphasis
on the basics
instead of the frills
and fancy drills..."
NHRA Drag
Racing Results
Grand Bend Motorptex
Sunday, August 10
Super Pro: Les Sherwood, Huron Park, 10.20 at 130.06 defeated
Brian Brutzki, Waterloo, 10.17 at 129.68 MPH
Pro: Todd Hope, Philipshurg, 11.58 at 116.28 defeated Mark Mac-
Donald, Seaforth, 12.96 at 103.68 MPH
Street: Joe Arthur. Stratford, 16.12 at 80.49 defeated Glenn Campbell,
London, 13.94 at 96.77 MPH
Bike: Bill Watson, Sarnia, 11.82 at 100.90 defeated Greg Wyatt, Ap-
pin, 13.02 at 101.80 MPH
Jr. Dragster: MJ Elliott, 12 Sweaburg, 11.08 (10.50 dial -in; .805 RT)
at 44.77 MPH defeated Matty Matheson, 12, 15.62 (14.90 dial -in;
1.023 RT) at 42.25 MPH
This Week in Sports...
• Rec Centre offers new programs - page 15
• Dashwood Mosquitos/Peewee take WOBA championship - page 16
The Exeter Minor Hockey
Association kicked off an-
other five-day hockey school*
last week. Over 120 young
players attended the school
to sharpen their hockey
skills for the upcoming sea-
son.
Above, Head Instructor Dave
Partridge demonstrates a
wrist shot.
Left, eight year-old Brett
Hackett is shown the proper
way to hold a stick by coach
Partridge.
Exeter Centennials defeat Maltese
Centennials pay for costly 4-1 victory with two injured players
EXETER - The Exeter Centenni-
al soccer team defeated the London
Maltese on their home turf 4-1 last
Tuesday in a game that saw two
players injured.
John Flanagan and Joe Martens
were helped of the field after twist-
ing their ankles. Flanagan is ex-
pected to recover but Martens' in-
jury appears to be much serious.
The costly victory over the Lon-
don team returns the Centennials to
the win column as they remain in
contention for the final playoff spot
on Central Division Two action.
Nick Szabo opened the scoring
quickly in the game after con-
verting a Rudy Zeldhuizen pass
just past the Maltese goalkeeper's
reach. Zeldhuizen was the play -
maker on the second goal as he
spotted George McEwan unmarked
and fed a well placed goalmouth
pass McEwan redirected into the
corner.
Exeter's defensive line, lead by
Joe Dariano and Joe Martens was
very strong, limiting the hosts to
only a few scoring opportunities
throughout the game. Exeter keeper
Craig Winhow was solid in net
stopping all but one of the op-
ponents shots on goal. He was de-
nied a shutout after a cross pass
found itself into the net late in the
game.
Zeldhuizen was rewarded with a
goal of his own in the second half
after he stole the hall from a de-
fender and hent the ball back into
the net. Exeter striker Chuck Walk-
er broke a season -long drought
when he belted a Jason Wright re-
bound into the open net to end the
Centennial's scoring.
The Centennial's next game is
scheduled for Sunday at Canners
field starting at 4 pm. The team is
counting on Martens and Flanagan
to make a full recovery and dress
for the game.
Sports-
Lite
MacDonald, older means better
Chris Skalkos T -A staff
For most athletes, nearing the age of 40 means retiring from
sports. But for Don MacDonald of Clinton, getting older also means
getting better.
At 39, MacDonald has just finished one of his most successful sea-
sons with the Exeter Express senior haseball team.
MacDonald had a hatting average of .413, second best on the team
next to power hitter Fred Gregus who averaged .478; and on defence he
only recorded one error for the entire year while playing centre field.
"1 was aiming for a .400 [batting average) so I was happy with the
season 1 had with the Express," said MacDonald. Most of MacDonald's
hits were infield singles with one home run, but he only struck out once
all year. "Anything can happen when you don't get struck out," he said.
The Express wrapped up their 12th year in the Ontario Baseball As-
sociation (OBA) by hosting the season ending OBA Senior "D" Tour-
nament in Exeter on the Labor Day weekend. They finished fourth in
regular lead play with a 22-12-1 win/loss/tie record and placed fourth
in the tournament after losing to Thorold in the semi-finals.
MacDonald said the highlight of the year was the 5-2 victory against
pre -tournament favorites Wilkesport in the OBA tournament.
"They were young and strong hitting team. We knew we had to play
one of our better games to beat them and we did," he said.
With Exeter hosting the tournament, the Express had the opportunity
to play in front of their fans.
"It was a great way to end the season. We had a good crowd come
out and support us and that really means a lot, especially when your
down a few runs and people get into the game and start cheering for
you."
The last time the Express hosted an OBA tournament'in front of their
hometown fans was in 1988. They also won the tourney marldng the
team's third Ontario Championship in three years. Their first was in
1986.
MacDonald contributed on both provincial championship teams and
said they were equally memorable because the '86
championship was the first time the Express won the
title and the '88 championship was earned at home.
"In '88 we seemed to come back from behind in eve-
ry game. It was exciting for us and the fans." said
MacDonald. From 1989 to 1991, the Express con-
tinued to make the playoffs but fell short in the OBA
tournaments.
"They were good seasons but not outstanding. You
don't remember them unless you win." said Mac-
Donald who took a two year hiatus from 1991-93 to
build a log cabin.
in the early years, MacDonald said the Express had a
reputation for being a power hitting team. Today he
feels they are more of a hit and run team skillful at
stealing bases.
"We don't have that one guy we rely on for steady
home runs," he said, recalling how professional hock-
ey player Dave Shaw from Exeter used to be that per-
son when he used to play for the Express in the eight-
ies. This season only eight players contributed for a
total of 17 home runs with Scot Russell chalking up
five of them.
Today, MacDonald said the make up of the team is
changing to include a number of younger players. Something he feels
is important for a teams survival.
"You have to have the young guys or you won't have a team for too
long. Exeter has a good minor ball program and that's what you need to
keep a senior team going," he said noting, the Exeter Juveniles have
just won an all -Ontario Championship and many of the players will
eventually play for the Express.
From 19 year-old Mark Glavin to 45 year-old
Paul Elston, MacDonald said the mix of young-
er and older players complement the team.
"The young players are keen and get uptight
easily, but the older guys don't get too excited,
they're more of a steadying influence."
MacDonald has been playing haseball for 33
years and admits he has noticed some changes
over his style of play as well as his attitude.
"Playing hall used to be more competitive and
now it has more of a social aspect to it. I still
like to win there's no doubt about that. but as
you get older you mellow out a bit."
Throughout the years MacDonald said he has
gained a keen batting eye and the ability to pre-
dict a play giving him an advantage behind the
plate and on the field.
"You may not have the physical capabilities
of a young player but you get wiser," he said.
MacDonald said he will try out for the Ex-
press next season and plans on playing senior
ball as long as he continues to be a contributing
factor.
"If your game deteriorates then it may be time
to think about packing it in," he said. "But as long as you play well and
you're enjoying the game age doesn't matter."
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