WITH all Division 1 teams having a bye this week, the top Lower South East Hockey Association clash was between Cavaliers and Strikers in the Division 2 men’s competition.
Strikers started the Round 7 clash in fine style, taking the lead within the first five minutes of play, with a strong straight hit into the back of the goal by Jack Sharman.
Division 2 Men
Cavaliers 5 d Strikers 1
Cavaliers first opportunity came from a penalty corner with Andrew Grant injecting the ball to Michael Buxton, allowing him to strike the ball straight towards goal.
Strikers’ goalkeeper David Coombe slid out to deflect the first shot only to have Tasman Hughes gather up the ball and make his way around into position to push for the equalising goal.
Strikers had no time to rest as Cavaliers veteran Josh Aston pushed into attack to score one of his own and take the lead.
Play continued end to end for the remainder of the match, but it was Cavaliers which was able to hold firm in defence, while scoring thee more goals off its own.
Division 3 Men
Tigers 3 d West 0
THE last time Tigers and West met in the Division 3 men, Tigers salvaged a three-all draw after being down by a couple of goals.
This time Tigers reversed the pressure from the start, holding West at bay to claim a 3-0 win.
Tigers’ half and forward line players were linking up well with strong possessive play, accurate passes and hard chasing.
West’s defence rebounded shot after shot, but late in the first half a ball finally passed a valiant goal keeping effort.
The second half saw a resurgence from West with some strong central play built from deep in defence.
The West players probed the Tiger’s defence, but were stopped short along the 25-yard line.
West broke into the circle twice, only to be rejected by the work of Tigers’ goalie.
Eventually Tigers found its form from previous games and capitalised on a penalty corner to claim its second goal.
Inside the last 10 minutes Tigers put the game beyond doubt with a third and final goal.
Division 3 Women
Tigers 2 d West 0
IN the Division 3 women’s competition, West and Tigers went head-to-head, with the latter emerging the victor by two goals.
Both teams came out attacking the ball hard, with Tigers pushing forward for most of the game.
The West defenders continued to hold strong , but it was Tigers which was first to put a score on the board.
West attacked strongly when opportunities arose, but was unable to penetrate the Tigers’ defence.
Tigers continued to attack strongly, sealing the game with a second goal, while West was unable to convert.
Under 15 Girls
Redbacks 3 d Portland 0
DESPITE the 3-0 scoreline in favour of Redbacks, its Under 15 girls clash against Portland was no easy win, with both sides finding it difficult to break through strong defence.
Redbacks put pressure on early in the game, but found it hard to manage shots on goal.
The game see-sawed with both teams’ defence shutting down any attacking plays.
Gemma Gittins and Tannah Solly were strong in the backline for Redbacks, while Portland’s Jenna-May Bristow was controlling the midfield.
Redbacks got the first goal on the board through a solo run from Zara Blackwell.
She continued to set up play for the young Redbacks’ forwards, with Abi Miller and Ashley Beck both having opportunities in the circle.
Claire Moore had many runs into attack and was unlucky not to score.
However, it was Zara Blackwell who slotted two more goals to make her the only scorer for the game and securing the win for Redbacks.
Portland’s young side played a solid team game despite the end result.
It will be an interesting match next week when both sides meet again on Portland’s home turf.
Under 12 Boys
Tigers 2 d West 0
WEST’S Under 12 boys side went into its meeting with Tigers a couple of players short this week and Tigers was quick to capitalise.
Ethan Carne intercepted a pass from West and dribbled straight down to the circle and made no mistake to give Tigers the lead in the first minute.
Pattrick Robinson and James Braun were working well together and linking with Carne, but West’s Jack Leishman was proving near impenetrable at fullback.
Tigers had plenty of short corners, but could not convert and the score remained 1-0 at half time.
Tigers came under renewed pressure early in the second half with West attacking a more through Will Cameron.
Tigers’ defence led by Clyde Innes, Will Fenwick and Tim Kuchel was determined to not let West into the game.
Midway through the half Braun had a confident run down the right side and to the baseline.
He was able to find Kade Mccourt waiting on the penalty spot where he pushed nicely into the corner of the goals to extend Tigers’ lead.
West finished strong, but was unable to find a goal with the score remaining 2-0 at the final whistle.
Under 12 Girls
Tigers 2 d West 0
THE Under 12 girls game between West and Tigers saw the latter with the majority of control throughout the match, on its way to a 2-0 victory.
With the strong midfield setup of Zoe Carne, Scarlet Creek and Charlize Bignall for Tigers, West’s defence was working overtime.
Despite the pressure of endless penalty corners, keeper Lauren Smith kept West in the game with no score at half time.
The second half started with good passing of the ball from fullbacks Tru Franklin and Cassidy Lynagh through to Tigers’ forwards.
It was another half of solid defending from West, but the continuous pressure of Tigers saw the ball find the back of net twice to secure the premiership points.
