DIVISION 1 MEN
CAVS/PORT 2 d TIGERS 1
ROUND two of the 2019 Lower South East Hockey Association season was headlined by the new Cavs/Port team stamping its authority on the contest.
An upset 2-1 win over Tigers in Hamilton on Sunday has brought plenty of excitement around the new combined team.
Despite Tigers heading into the match as the favourite, after it won comfortably last week to open its premiership defence, the home team came out firing and neither side was willing to give an inch during a fast-paced contest.
The frantic first half was dominated by turnovers, with players such as Cavs/Port’s Cameron Jarry and Dominic Tucker, plus Tigers’ Greg Doll and Aaron Mengler all showing their skills early.
It was Doll who eventually broke through the Cavs/Port defence, with an impressive tomahawk goal later in the first half.
However, Cavs/Port responded swiftly, with Reagan Simons converting a penalty stroke inside the circle to tie up the scores at the long break.
The hard and fast hockey continued in the second half, with neither side able to find the breakthrough goal.
But with six minutes remaining, Josh Aston came to Cav/Port’s rescue with a baseball-like strike from the top of the circle, which found its way past the goal keeper.
With the home side in front and on the verge of an unlikely win, tensions rose as Tigers threatened to equalise with a number of penalty corners in the last five minutes, but were unable to convert.
Cavs/Port held on to win by one goal.
DIVISION 2 WOMEN
CAVALIERS 10 d NARACOORTE 0
CAVALIERS women came out firing against Naracoorte and did not look back, to register a crushing 10-nil victory.
The tone was laid from the outset thanks to early goals from Isabelle Ladner and Lauren Lunsmann.
Naracoorte responded with some quick rebounds and short corners, but the Cavaliers back line of Jodie Nolte, Fiona Young, Deb Waye and goal keeper Kate Fabian repelled each attack.
By the time the main break had arrived Cavaliers sat five goals up after Samara Herpich and Kara Zeven pitched in.
Naracoorte lifted its game in the third term, which saw a more evenly matched quarter until the last five minutes when Cavaliers scored another two goals, highlighted by a strong baseline hit from Melanie Smaling.
Cavalier’s short passing and teamwork from the midfield continued in the last quarter, earning another three goals to stroll to a 10-goal win.
DIVISION 3 WOMEN
CAVALIERS 2 d REDBACKS 0
THE Cavaliers and Redbacks Division 3 women enjoyed an extra hour’s respite before their clash on Sunday.
The new four quarter rules was somewhat of a relief for the Cavaliers side, as they were forced to start the first half with just nine players.
Cavalier Kate Fabian and Redback Anja Didsbury enjoyed a great tussle in the midfield and it was Fabian who struck the first blow from a corner to hand her side the advantage.
The Redbacks’ back-line led by Jayne Miller managed to repel and intercept any Cavaliers forward press until the latter returned to full numbers.
A fast Ella Simmonds pass slipped past the Redbacks defence to increase the advantage in the third quarter.
Redbacks tried to find a way back into contention, but could not penetrate the Cavaliers defence for the remainder of the tight contest.
DIVISION 2 MEN
REDBACKS 4 d CAVALIERS 1
A CLOSE fight was anticipated on Friday night as both Redbacks and Cavaliers were desperate to register their first win of the new season under lights at Blue Lake Sports Park.
However, a hat-trick to Mitchell Manser and one goal from Dale Hill ensured Redbacks dictated terms throughout the match.
A conversion from Cavaliers’ Richmond Clayfield did little to faze the Redbacks outfit, which eased to a comfortable 4-1 triumph.
DIVISION 3 MEN
REDBACKS 3 d CAVALIERS 0
SUNDAY afternoon saw Cavaliers and Redbacks go head-to-head in a game which began with both sides’ defences dominating the opening term.
But a brilliant strike from Robert Drenthen broke the strangle hold, which was followed by another by Sam Hay-Smith and suddenly Redbacks enjoyed a two-nil lead.
Redbacks continued to control the game as Cavaliers players struggled to find time or space.
Veteran striker Steven Kuhl consolidated the Redbacks win with a late goal to run out three-goal winners.
