QBT 2008 VICTORY

"2008 witnessed one of the most remarkable events in QBT's long history. In a sporting fairytale no one could have scripted, Central Districts won the Dhyan Chand Trophy for the first time after defeating Pukekohe on penalty strokes in the grand final."

(Excerpt from Sporting Foundation of New Zealand Indians - A Fifty Year History of the New Zealand Indian Sports Association).

This story started a year earlier at the 2007 Queen’s Birthday Tournament held in Christchurch. CDISC were unfortunately relegated to the B Section by losing the A Section 5th/6th place match on strokes. Strokes in this instance were a negative but would be a major positive the following year. From such a low no one knew that the most rewarding and historic wins ever to be had by CDISC would follow.

2008 arrived and so did QBT fever a few months out. To the glee of CDISC the Christchurch Indian Sports Club could not field a team in the A Section meaning CD would be pushed back up to compete in the A's. The club knew it was going against some of the top teams in the country, and knowing our player pool was small, rustled up a team.

The afternoon of Friday 30th June saw local CDISC players and supporters gather in Palmerston North to venture up to the hosting region of Bay of Plenty, unaware of the grand outcome that lies ahead. The mode of transport, the good old CD bus trip! Saturday morning arrived and all 16 players met for the first time. After a quick gathering of hellos and handshakes a practice commenced to blow out the cobwebs from the previous year.

Our first opponent of the tournament was Auckland A, one of the powerful teams at QBT. As expected this game saw a few tough times for CD as new player combinations, positions and tactics were in play. Chances were created throughout the game for CD to score but a tough Auckland team took the win 5-0. Our goalie Mahendra Naran was on form by saving the many goals that were shot at the CD defence in that game.

With the last game put aside Saturday afternoon saw CDISC play Wellington B. Confidence was in the air, as the team knew that victory was crucial to proceed forward into the semi-finals. The first half saw no goals scored by either team but it was the second half where CD were rewarded. A penalty corner was awarded and Vijay Soma scored off a straight hit from Priyesh Bhana. 5 minutes later Manoj Patel scored off a deflection making it 2-0 to CD. A minor setback saw Wellington B score off an awarded penalty stroke but this was overshadowed by Priyesh Bhana and Hitesh Patel scoring 1 a piece making the final score 4-1 and securing a ticket to the semi-finals! In usual CD fashion a good night was had with all CDISC players and spectators enjoying themselves to be primed and ready for the next day.

Sunday arrived and Wellington A was the next opponent in an afternoon game. It was a fast paced game and the skills of Wellington A were shining which had many well known and experienced hockey players such as Umesh Parag (ex NZ representative) along with Hitesh Patel, Krishan Gajadhar, Rakesh Raman and Sunil Hira (who all four would go on to play for CDISC at future tournaments). Wellington shone with Umesh Parag scoring their first goal in the first 15 minutes. Half time saw the score 1-0 to Wellington, but CDISC stepped up their game. With the determination of each player they knew they could win and take a ticket into the A Section final, something CDISC had never achieved before.

CD was rewarded with a penalty corner 10 minutes into the second half with Priyesh Bhana burying the ball into the corner. CD was on the cards at 1-1. The game went back and forth until an attack on the right side of the field saw the ball passed on upwards. A shot at goal was saved by Wellington but with another hit off the returning ball saw Vijay Soma slotting it in making the score 2-1 to CD!

The last 5 minutes of the game were frantic with the CD defence making sure they were on guard. With the nerves of knowing that they were 2-1 in a semi-final against Wellington A, the pressure was on. Wellington kept at it but CD stayed cool defending the score at full time and heading straight into the finals! This victory in itself is regarded as one of the best victories and upsets in the clubs history where CD would have been happy to leave the weekend with this victory alone.

After an inspiration team talk on the bus from long time supporter and past player Chetan Patel, conducted in Gujarati, Sunday night saw a relaxed evening as both players and supporters headed off to the QBT Social to catch up with the other teams, old friends and past CD supporters who had arrived in Rotorua knowing that CDISC were playing in the A final the next day.

Monday morning arrived in a flash and it was crunch time, a situation completely new to CDISC by playing in the A Section final. Everyone was revved up for this game and it all was all on at 1.45pm against opponents Pukekohe A.

A guard of honour was formed by both Central Districts and Pukekohe to pay respect to a friend, family member and passionate hockey player, Nettin Patel. For CD this was the first tournament since Nettin passed away the year before and emotions were felt amongst all at the turf. With Nettins’ ties to both clubs in this final this game was meant to be.

All supporters gathered on the sidelines with many past players knowing that their years of playing for Central Districts could be paid off with victory in this game. The game started with both teams waiting for the other to make the first attack. Pukekohe stepped up first and scored but CD replied with a goal from a penalty corner by Priyesh Bhana. Pukekohe again stepped up and scored making it 2-1 in their favour.

The emotion could be seen on all our players faces. They knew they were playing a historical match and one for a great team mate. The reward and glory of winning the A Section final was at stake. CD scored making it 2-2 leading into full time bringing about a 7 minute a-side 'golden goal' situation. A tense match was played right through but no team could score that decisive goal. This took CD to a familiar place, strokes.

Mirroring a similar situation in Christchurch the year before, even though it was for relegation that year, did not deter an experienced line up of takers for CD. Vijay Soma was first off the mark. His stroke was saved by the Pukekohe goalie but was awarded due to him moving too early. The next four stokes taken by Jay Parag, Priyesh Bhana, Nirwair Singh and Preetesh Parsotam all went in with ease. The same occurred with Pukekohe who also scored all their strokes which now left CD venturing into sudden death.

A further two goals from both teams were scored and then it happened. CD goalie Mahendra Naran did a fantastic job of saving the next Pukekohe stroke, going low towards his right as our senior players had anticipated. And this was it; CD needed to slot one more goal in and it was a done deal. With the order for Priyesh Bhana to take the next shot all the pressure was on him, but he was on the task and slotted the ball in to have CD winning 8-7!

What happened next was an eruption of supporters screaming, shouting and running onto the field into a huddle knowing they had just made history for CDISC, winning the Men's A Section and the prestigious Dhyan Chand Trophy for the first time ever!

Past members and players were in awe trying to get their heads around this dream coming true with some members in tears absorbing this very special moment. Emotions and tears flowed at this historic win, and of the memory of Nettin Patel, a player no longer with us but who also worked hard for this victory over his playing years.

In a fairytale setting from start to finish CDISC couldn't have asked for better. Being the underdogs of the tournament with a team relegated the year before, and then put back up into the A Section, all players meeting for the first time on Saturday morning and to play without any proper practice against highly experienced regions was the ultimate QBT.

Everyone would agree that it was a time where you had to be there as no words can express the happiness, excitement and atmosphere that was experienced at the turf. It will be the one QBT that will always be remembered and never forgotten by the many that were present and witness the rise of CDISC that weekend.

With this victory Paul Patel donated the CDISC Best Player at QBT Award with the trophy consisting of the winning match ball. This is awarded to the CDISC Most Valuable Player, as selected by the Team Manager, and is presented after each QBT. The following are the recipients to date: 

2008 Hitesh Patel, 2009 Jujhar Singh, 2010 Priyesh Bhana, 2011 Kiran Parbhu, 2012 Sanjay Patel, 2013 Jit Patel, 2014 Sunil Hira, 2015 Manoj Patel, 2016 Krishan Gajadhar, 2017 Cassius Malthus-Henman

QBT 2008 WINNING TEAM

Coaches: Suresh Patel, Bharat Parsot
Manager: Paul Patel
Players:
Dharmesh Bhana
Hitesh Patel * (MVP)
Jayesh Parag (Captain)
Jayhindra Rama
Jitesh Patel *
Mahendra Naran
Manoj Patel
Nirwair Singh *
Peter Patel
Preetesh Parsotam *
Priyesh Bhana *
Rameeze Renata
Roshan Patel
Sanjay Patel
Umesh Govind
Vijay Soma*

* indicates players who were selected for the NZISA Tournament Team.

More photos from this history weekend and the celebrations after can be found here.