DIVISION 2 MEN – REDBACKS 2 d WEST 0
REDBACKS went into round five of Lower South East hockey as the favourites over West in their Division 2 men’s match up.
With the West starting lineup missing key forwards, goal scoring was going to be tough and as a result Redbacks claimed a 2-0 victory.
Redbacks boasted a strong defence which held firm for the full match, while West also stood tall in the backline in the first half, with no goals scored before the long break.
Surprisingly West showed more promise up forward, with the late inclusion of Nick Thomas providing opportunities and taking Redbacks by surprise.
Heading into the third quarter West was eager to place more pressure up forward, which saw Zac Kain and Connor Murphy see plenty of play, but they could not find a way into goals.
A fast break then saw Redbacks break the deadlock to claim the lead through Dale Hill, while a second goal off the same stick sealed the deal in the final term.
With 10 minutes to play West found several opportunities to hit back, but the Redbacks defence held strong against consecutive short corners.
DIVISION 3 WOMEN – WEST 1 d REDBACKS 0
IT was a battle of defences when West and Redbacks’ Division 3 women’s hockey teams went head-to-head for round five of the season.
The match started with strong defensive efforts from both sides, with neither team able to find an easy entry into the attacking circle.
Both teams were on the attack, but turnovers in the midfield were the downfall.
However, the game-winning goal came shortly before half time, when West’s Tayla Carke spotted a hole in the Redbacks’ defence and with a sweep into goals took her team into the break with the lead.
The work from Elle Gregory and Kylie Thompson through the midfield was critical in Clarke’s opportunity to score.
From there Redbacks upped the attack and found a chance to level the game, but it was to no avail thanks to a solid save by West’s defence.
Despite the efforts of Erin Munday and her fellow West forwards to extend the lead, Redbacks’ goal keeper Emily Tully proved too strong in the second half.
However, with Redbacks unable to muster attack of their own, West claimed the points by the slimmest margin.
UNDER 12 BOYS – REDBACKS 2 d WEST 1
A CLOSE contest was had when Redbacks and West faced off in the Under 12 boys competition, with the former claiming a narrow 2-1 win.
Both teams sport different lineups for the 2019 season, with a mix of experience and new players, who have just started their hockey journey.
The teams were fairly evenly matched, but Redbacks linked better in the first half, which resulted in several shots on goal.
Despite the best efforts of the West defence and midfield, Redbacks went into the half-time break 2-0 up, both goals off the stick of Trystan Miller.
In the second half, West rallied and began to make better use of the ball to increase entries into the circle.
Late in the second half West’s Rhys Earle made a solo run and scored off a slap hit from the top left of the circle.
However, despite the best efforts of both teams, no further goals were scored and Redbacks held on for a one-goal victory.
UNDER 12 GIRLS – STRIKERS 2 d WEST 0
ANOTHER thrilling match was had in the Under 12 girls meeting between West and Strikers, with the latter taking the points for the round with a two-goal victory.
West dominated in defence throughout the first half as the sides battled it out on the Blue Lake Sports Park grass field.
Neither team was able to score before half time and it remained anyone’s game until Strikers found another level after the long break.
With several penalty corner opportunities, Strikers eventually broke through and were able to slip two goals past the West defence to take a hard-earned win.
However, West showed plenty of grit and with new players still learning the ropes, the side will be one to watch later in the season.
