DIVISION 1 WOMEN – REDBACKS 5 d TIGERS 1
REDBACK’S Division 1 women carried form into their Lower South East hockey round seven clash with Tigers, off the back of a win over reigning premiers West the previous week.
A close match was expected, but Redbacks wasted no time taking the advantage, with a goal from Zara Blackwell in the first 10 minutes.
Tigers’ defence saved several attempts at goal, with their fullbacks able to clear the ball time and time again.
With a 1-0 lead at the first change, Redbacks were able to double their score in the second quarter when a penalty corner saw Anna Mitchell convert.
Dana Jones make some long runs into the Tigers attack, but was shut down by the strong Redbacks’ defensive unit.
In the third term an unfortunate deflection off a defenders stick gave Blackwell her second goal and Redbacks held a 3-0 lead.
Redbacks continued to link well through the midfield and had many opportunities to score which were denied by the solid goal keeping of Hope Hinton.
Heading into the final stanza with confidence, Redbacks’ Claudia Edmonds scored her team’s fourth goal early in the term.
Tigers penetrated the circle on several occasions and were eventually rewarded with a goal to Cody Hood.
However, a late penalty stroke scored by Edmonds saw Redbacks with a solid 5-1 victory.
DIVISION 2 WOMEN – PORTLAND 5 d REDBACKS 0
DESPITE the success of Redbacks’ Division 1 side, the Division 2 women faced a tough task against Portland on a grass pitch, with the latter.
Played in warm conditions, Redbacks were on the back foot from the start, as Portland attacked strongly to keep the ball in its forward half.
Jemma Aitchison made things difficult for Redbacks defenders, repeatedly driving the ball into the circle, while Kayley Smith capitalised on one of those runs to score an early goal for Portland.
Redbacks fought back and were able to keep the Portland attackers at bay with strong tackling from Angela Kain and a solid last line of defence from goal keeper Emily Tully.
However, Redbacks were unable to drive the ball back into their own attack.
In the second half that improved and the side was unlucky not to convert from several attempts, but Portland subdued the late surge to hit the scoreboard again for an eventual 5-0 win.
UNDER 12 BOYS – REDBACKS 6 d PORTLAND 0
FINE conditions greeted Redbacks’ Under 12 boys as they travelled across the border to take on Portland on the weekend, to earn a 6-0 victory.
From the opening whistle Redbacks drove hard into attack with midfielders Trystan Miller and Will Maddern moving their team forward at every opportunity, while Bailey Bennett looked dangerous up forward.
The Portland defence held strong, as Jesse Huf worked hard and found good support from Riley Williamson and Jarrah Newton.
However, Miller eventually broke through and gave Redbacks a 1-0 lead at half time.
The second half saw Redbacks continue to press forward, with Miller adding another two goals early, before Orlando Vause and Bailey Bennett both scored their first ever goal of their career.
Blake Vause added another to give Redbacks a comfortable 6-0 win at the final whistle.
UNDER 15 BOYS – PORTLAND 3 d REDBACKS 1
AN even contest was expected between home team Portland and the visiting Redbacks on Saturday morning at Nelson Park and it did not disappoint.
Both teams looked to play an attacking style of hockey, but it was Redbacks who hit the board first through Nash Lobley.
But it did not take long for Portland to respond with two of its own and take a 2-1 lead into half time.
The second half continued to be an even contest with Redbacks unable to get through the Portland defence.
Eventually Portland extended the margin with the final goal of the day for a 3-1 win.
Eli Herbetson led the way on the scoreboard with two goals, while Cooper Hein scored one.
Among the best for Portland were Hein, Jarrah Newton and Abby Smith, while Orlando Vause, James Grant and
Tarkyn Gambell were best for Redbacks.
