DIVISION 2 MEN – NARACOORTE RAMS 1 d REDBACKS 0
IT was a game of defence when Naracoorte Rams met Redbacks in round four of the Division 2 men’s hockey season.
Both teams started strong in the backline and it was not until the third quarter the only goal of the match was scored.
Redbacks managed to keep the ball in the Rams’ defence for the entirety of the first quarter, with several short corners and opportunities to claim the advantage.
However, Naracoorte succeeded in keeping its opposition scoreless throughout the first half.
The intensity heightened in the early minutes of the second half as both teams fought to convert the first goal.
That was eventually scored by Naracoorte, as it finally broke through the Redbacks’ defence, which did well considering the side was a player short.
Redbacks responded with a strong attacking tactic in order to push a quick goal, but was met by a strong defence and was unable to level the scores.
A short corner in the final minutes provided a ray of hope, but the Rams squandered the opportunity and held on for a 1-0 win.
DIVISION 2 WOMEN – NARACOORTE 2 d/w REDBACKS 2
THE first Friday night game of the round saw Redbacks travel to play on Naracoorte’s new turf in the Division 2 women’s competition.
It was a tight match-up and in the end the two teams shared the points with a two-all draw.
Naracoorte started strong with good passing in the forward line, but Redbacks had an early break down the left side to score from the baseline.
That goal was answered by Naracoorte soon after with a direct hit on a penalty corner to end the first quarter with one each.
A second goal to Naracoorte before half time but it in the lead.
The score remained at 2-1 throughout the third term, with some good midfield play and defence from both teams.
With the game on the line, Redbacks shuffled its forward line and hit hard in the final stanza to score the equaliser from a penalty corner.
Neither team was able to gain the lead again and as a result the points were shared for the round.
UNDER 15 BOYS – STRIKERS 3 d WEST 1
STRIKERS and West have quickly proven themselves to be the powerhouse teams of the Under 15 boys competition and their Friday night clash reinforced that statement.
The early stages were a high quality stalemate with plenty of action in the midfield, but neither team was able to put quality shots away.
BJ Howard was called on to make a few saves in the West goal and easily swatted away the incoming attacks.
As the half wore on possession remained even, but it was clear Strikers were making better use of the ball.
It was rewarded for this a few minutes before the half time break when Alexander Waters slipped a shot under Howard after a nice build up.
Strikers held off West for the next few minutes and took the important 1-0 lead into the break.
The game was far from over and West rebounded strongly in the early stages of the second half with Aiden Cameron and Angas Aitken finding plenty of the ball.
However, the final pass was proving elusive for Aitken, as the attack broke down before they could enter the circle.
That was in large part due to the efforts of Connor Millhouse, who marshalled the Strikers defence.
Liam Delaney expended plenty of energy in the Strikers midfield, but his efforts were largely unrewarded.
Eventually, Rhys Earle – who played his best game yet in a West uniform – made his mark on the scoresheet to level the scores seven minutes in the second half.
From there a shift of momentum occurred and West pushed forward to take advantage.
However, it pressed too hard and lost the ball in the midfield, which instead saw Strikers surge forward to quickly retake the lead through Waters.
The deadlock resumed and despite a solid run from Cameron, West was unable to level the score.
The game was decided in the dying minutes, when Delaney defeated the West defence to shoot and score against Howard.
West made a last attempt to drive forward, but the game remained out of reach.
