RYE – Field Hockey New York

The Rye first and second teams squared off against each other for the first time this season on Sunday at Clinton DeWitt in the Bronx.  It is a measure of how far the club has progressed over the last four years from a club, on occasion, struggling to get 11 players for all their league games to the current situation where Rye can now field two competitive sides every week.  Despite missing several regulars (including Peter Jones who was representing a U.S. Veterans team in an international tournament in Hong Kong), Rye 1 eventually ran out comfortable 4-1  winners with goals from Akhlaq, Cheetham and Sandhu (2).  The game was hard fought and will be of great encouragement for Rye 2 captain Harry Labana.  Max Rijkenberg and Pere Torres Puyalto are forming a good partnership in the centre of midfield, Puyalto also scored a fine goal and forced keeper Oliver Stubel to make a couple of good saves. Eldrid Sequeira stood out in defence and with a couple of regulars expected back for the next Rye 2 game, Labana will be confident Rye 2 can continue to stay close tot he playoff race.

In summary, it was an excellent day for the club.  Rye 1, with one game to go before the winter break remain unbeaten and top of the standings and Rye 2 in their first full season in NEFHA are looking stronger by the week and are a team that no opponent is taking lightly.