DIVISION 2 MEN – NARACOORTE RAMS 2 d/w WEST 2
A COLD Friday night game between Naracoorte Rams and West’s Division 2 men’s hockey teams provided plenty of heat on the field, as the round-six match resulted in a two-all draw.
The Rams had plenty of spare players on the bench, while West came out a player short, but that did not hold it back.
Both sides came out strong, with West scoring an unexpected goal in the opening minutes of play.
Naracoorte turned to its defence after that and prevented West from scoring again for the remainder of the first half.
In the second half the Rams managed to level the scores, with a quick push and penalty corner, which saw Derek James convert the equaliser.
The game continued to heat up as both teams were eager to take the lead, with the Rams managing to do so with another quick run down the field.
West had several scoring attempts, but Naracoorte was able to hold back those efforts.
The final minutes of the game were intense and when West found a quick pass into its attack and scored its second goal, the scores remained tied up until the final whistle.
DIVISION 3 WOMEN – PORTLAND 5 d CAVALIERS 0
AN under-staffed Cavaliers Division 3 women side faced a full Portland squad in a tough round six match up on Sunday.
With just nine players on the field to Portland’s 10, Cavaliers were on the back foot from the start.
Portland played well as a team, with its forwards working well up the field to convert goals.
Cavaliers came out strong in attack in the second half, playing some good hockey and working well as a team, but the strong Portland defence did not concede a goal for the full match.
Even despite some solid saves from the Cavaliers’ goalie, Portland slipped five goals through to claim a 5-0 victory.
Nyla Conheady top scored with three goals, while Leila Edwards managed two.
Both teams showed determination throughout the game and provided a good show for spectators, despite the scoreline.
UNDER 15 BOYS – WEST 1 d/w TIGERS 1
THE Under 15 boys clash between Tigers and West saw a one-all draw for their first meeting of the season.
Early in the game Tigers appeared the more lively, defending well and pressing in attack, helped by the fast-paced James Braun on the wing.
However, the West defence consistently turned over the ball and sent it back into the midfield.
West managed a number of circle entries, but struggled to break through the opposition defence.
Finally, West’s Phillip Rankine-Alleyn scored late in the half after he received the ball from a turnover in the midfield.
Tigers started strongly in the second half and continued to make good use of the ball, while West worked hard to create opportunities of its own.
A turnover in the midfield saw West’s Rhys Earle run the ball into attack and pass to Rankine-Alleyn in the circle, but no goal eventuated.
Late in the second half Tigers’ Blake McKee received the ball unmarked and deep in attack, running it into the circle and setting up a two-on-one play with West goalie BJ Howard.
At the final moment McKee passed to teammate Ethan Carne on the right post, who tapped the ball in to level the score.
With five minutes to go, the momentum seemed to be with Tigers and shortly after another opportunity in the circle provided an opportunity to take the lead.
However, Howard saved the shot, while another attempt from Tigers’ Tom Howard went wide and the game resulted in a draw.
UNDER 15 GIRLS – WEST 2 d REDBACKS 0
AFTER a tight first half, West hit hard after the break to claim a 2-0 win over Redbacks in their Under 15 girls clash on the weekend.
West had plenty of play and several shots on goal in the first half, but the Redbacks’ defence and a lack of accuracy saw the efforts go without reward.
An early penalty corner shot by West’s Mercedes Theobald ricocheted off the left post and out over the sideline, while Redbacks also looked threatening in attack as the fast-paced Claire Moore kept the West defence on its toes.
A solo run by Moore down the right wing and into the goals resulted in a one-on-one with West goalie Lauren Smith, but the Smith ran out hard towards Moore and covered the angle to prevent a score.
With three minutes remaining in the first half, Redbacks was awarded a penalty corner and during the play Moore had two more shots on goal, but both went unconverted.
The scoreboard remained untouched at half time, but West found the upperhand after the break to take the lead with a goal from Mercedes Theobald.
Late in the half West managed its second goal off a long corner, also scored off the stick of Theobald.
