Division 1 Men
West 3 dw Redbacks 3
REDBACKS continued to show its metal in Division 1 of the Lower South East Hockey Association on Saturday, when it gave West a fright to finish with a three-all draw in their Round 14 clash.
Played at Blue Lake Sports Park, Redbacks had the momentum for much of the match, pushing forward into attack and frustrating West forwards with solid defence.
Toby Maddern was a standout for Redbacks, carrying the ball forward to finish with all three goals before half time.
Jason Steen managed to keep West in touch with a goal of his own before the break.
It was well into the second term when West started to find its rhythm.
Gavin Robertson began to dominate his side of the West defence and was able to pass the ball to Chris Callis on numerous occasions, from where the ball was driven through the midfield and deep into attack.
David Vine made a strong contribution after a long injury off and will be critical to West’s September effort.
His goal put West with touching distance, before Calliss scored with minutes to go to level the scores.
Goals – West: C. Calliss, J. Steen, D. Vine; Redbacks: T. Maddern 3; Best – West: C. Callis, J. Steen, D. Vine; Redbacks: T. Maddern, M. Manser, C. McArthur.
Division 1 Men
Tigers 5 d Strikers 2
A STRONG start for Tigers saw it set itself up for success when it played Strikers in the Division 1 men’s LSEHA competition on the weekend.
Tigers claimed the advantage when Aaron Mengler scored early, while Strikers’ keeper Mason Hill prevented other chances.
Strikers soon had better control, but Tigers again took the upper hand with a goal.
Boyd Millhouse was a welcome addition for Strikers and was key in the defensive lineup, as Mengler and Lachie Nisbet attacked hard for Tigers.
A high cross from Dale Tucker to Dave Coombe at the top of the circle saw the latter finish it off to put Strikers on the board.
Scores were at 2-1 at the break and Tigers started strong again in the second term.
A short corner opportunity nudged it further into the lead, while Strikers became two-men down when players were sent to the penalty box.
Jordan Millhouse put Strikes back in the match, beating three players to score a good tomahawk goal.
However, Tigers’ fifth goal came and despite Strikers’ best efforts the win remained elusive.
Goals – Tigers: A. Mengler 2, L. Nisbet, C. Grant, B. Cooper; Strikers: D. Tucker, J. Millhouse; Best – Tigers: B. Cooper, A. Mengler, K. Aston; Strikers: D. McCarthy, D. Tucker, C. Millhouse.
Division 2 Men
Tigers 3 d Strikers 1
IT was an evenly contested match when Tigers and Strikers locked horns in the Division 2 men’s hockey on the weekend.
Despite an eventual 3-1 win for Tigers, Strikers’ keeper David Coombe kept his side in the game with some good saves.
Strikers youngsters struggled to match the strength of Tigers and had to rely on speed and teamwork to move the ball forward.
Steve Mitchell scored Strikers first goal with a clear deflection, but Tigers quickly responded as Ben McCourt levelled the score at half time.
In the second term a stroke was awarded in Tigers’ favour, which Ryan Larsen converted.
Tigers continued to attack and some loose manning in Strikers defence led to an overlap and a third goal, sealing the deal.
Goals – Tigers: K. Rogers, R. Larsen, B. McCourt; Strikers: S. Mitchell; Best – Tigers: B. McCourt, M. Carne, K. Crute; Strikers: M. Hill, A. Schubert, N. Copping.
Division 3 Men
Strikers 2 dw Tigers 2
A CLOSE match-up resulted in a two-all draw when Strikers and Tigers clashed in Division 3 men’s hockey.
Strikers had a strong start and moved the ball well through the middle, with goals from Andrew Thomas and youngster Patrick Langsmith.
Tigers also had its chances, with Scott Hamilton and Evan McKee narrowly missing.
Strikers went into the half with a 2-0 lead.
Tigers had a good attacking play at the start of the second term, which saw Scotty Hamilton find the back of the goals.
Chris Liddle for Tigers was key through the midfield and worked to secure Tigers another short.
Good footwork by Strikers keeper Nick Copping and back-up clearance by Carl Smith held off the score.
However, some loose manning coupled with direct passing led to Tigers’ second goal by Chris Liddle.
Tigers surged towards the end of the match, but several unlucky misses and good saves from Copping held the scores level at full time.
Goals – Strikers: A. Thomas, P. Langsmith; Tigers: C. Liddle, S. Hamilton; Best – Strikers: A. Thomas, A. Hopgood, N. Copping; Tigers: S. Hamilton, E. McKee, W. Trench.
Division 2 Women
Strikers 6 d Redbacks 0
STRIKERS proved dominance in its Division 2 women’s hockey match with Redbacks on the weekend, where it emerged 6-0 victors.
Good teamwork and passing to the circle saw Strikers centre forward Pam Telfer pounced on a rebound from Di Horbury’s first attempt to score the first goal of the match.
And the second came shortly after with Horbury again shooting across the face of goal onto the defenders stick and into the back of the net.
Strikers had a short corner with 16 minutes to go and Redbacks’ Rachel Curtis suffered collateral damage with a hit to the hand, which left Redbacks a player short.
Strikers capitalized on this with Tara Henningsen working the ball into attack to cross to Cathy Ashby, who put the ball into the back of the goal.
Redbacks held its nerve and continued to work the ball out of defence, with good clearance from Ange Kain and strong options presented by Nicole McInerney up forward.
However, Hobury and Telfer were hungry for more goals and continued to attack well and force turnovers which they both converted to put Strikers 5-0 up at half time.
Redbacks had more control of play in the second term, but was unable to convert.
Mel Snart was a strong influence for Redbacks, creating turnovers and setting up play.
But the match was all but over and Strikers secured a short corner which saw Wendy Hill convert her second midway through the half.
Neave Delaney continued to work hard as Redbacks’ keeper and hustled well to prevent more shots on goal.
Goals – Strikers: W. Hill, D. Horbury 2, C. Ashby, P. Telfer; Best – Strikers: C. Baseley, K. Henningsen, A. Mitchell; Redbacks: N. Delaney, J. McInerney, M. Smart.
Division 3 Woman
Strikers 2 d Tigers 0
A CLOSELY contested match saw Strikers come away with the points over Tigers in the Round 14 Division 3 women’s match.
With its side back to full strength, Strikers opened strong with Aleesha Searle scoring after good running play and a one-on-one with the keeper.
Deb Lang combined well with youngster Imogen Horbury to bring the ball into the circle and send it to the goals, where Anne Freeman was ready for the rebound and scored.
Tigers used its experience to set up several attacking plays, but the goals remained elusive.
Di Horbury was reliable as Strikers’ keeper and ensured that Kylie Doll’s shots were denied.
Goals – Strikers: A. Freeman, A. Searle; Best – Strikers: J. Schubert, M. Payne, A. Searle; Tigers: E. Outtram, J. Outramm, C. McCourt.
Under 15 Girls
Tigers 6 d Strikers 1
IN the Under 15 girl’s hockey competition, a good start from Tigers set it up for a 6-1 win over Strikers.
Strikers defended tightly, but could not match the speed and strength of the older Tigers players.
Imogen Horbury had her work cut out for her and did well to make a great one-on-one save in the first half.
Horbury combined well with Grace DeGaris in full back to hold off the Tigers’ advance.
Samara Herpich and Sophie Waters were key to Strikers play with some good passing resulting in Strikers only goal for the match.
For Tigers, Lauren Montgomery and Sophie Nesbit were dominant, as they utilised their speed and skills to score.
Brooke Marcus was also a key contributor for Tigers, using her pace and timing to score in the second half and secure a five-goal margin at full time.
Goals – Tigers: L. Montgomery 3, B. Marcus 2, S. Nisbet; Strikers: S. Waters; Best – Strikers: M. Derrington, C. Boylan, S. Herpich; Tigers: L. Montgomery, B. Marcus, C. Doll.
