DIVISION 1 MEN – STRIKERS 5 d WEST 3
IT is always a good match when Strikers and West go head-to-head in the Division 1 men’s hockey and their round 10 meeting on the weekend did not disappoint.
Accurate finishing saw Strikers come out on top at the final whistle with a 5-3 victory.
The victors wasted no time hitting the scoreboard, with Jordan Millhouse on song to score four goals for the match, assisted by Toby Maddern in the forward line, who scored one.
West struggled with accuracy and as a result its second goal was answered by Strikers’ fifth.
However, West did not back down and Daniel Kestle scored a third goal for his team, but it was not enough to deny Strikers the win.
DIVISION 3 MEN – STRIKERS 6 d WEST 0
STRIKERS claimed a solid win over West in Division 3 men’s hockey on the weekend.
It did not take long for Strikers to establish itself as the dominant team, with a quick run into goals to open the game.
Although it was denied by goal keeper BJ Howard, the next attempt saw Mark DeGaris belt the ball into goals and claim the lead.
Despite good pace and the solid efforts from West defenders Andrew Hogg, Marcel Girffith and David Kensley, Strikers broke away on the scoreboard and by the final change held a 5-0 lead.
That was not to say West was without its chances, as it had several unconverted opportunities for the match.
However, at the final whistle the 6-0 scoreline saw Strikers convincing victors, with Andrew Thomas leading the way with a hat-trick of goals.
UNDER 15 BOYS – STRIKERS 1 d WEST 0
A TIGHT match between Strikers and West’s Under 15 boys saw the former with a 1-0 win in the round 10 encounter.
The only goal for the match was scored late in the game as a result of good team play from Strikers, after earlier attempts were thwarted by the West defence.
Both teams had their chances in the first half, but they were not easy to come by, with no short corners awarded before the break.
The second half started with the same end-to-end momentum, with few entries into the attacking circles.
It was not until late in the second half – with eight minutes to play – Strikers broke through the defence and was rewarded with a goal.
Liam Delaney had a shot which bounced off the defenders foot, before rolling into space where Jack Sharman pounced and scored.
West had a last-minute chance with a short corner after the siren, but the attempt went high and wide to see Strikers with a hard-fought win.
UNDER 12 BOYS – STRIKERS 4 d WEST 2
ANOTHER close contest was had in the Under 12 boys competition, which saw Strikers emerge victorious over West by two goals.
Both sides had good runs with the ball up the field early on, with the first goal of the match scored through the teamwork of Strikers’ Jack Sharman and Harrison DeGaris.
Strikers held the attacking advantage in the first half and eventually DeGaris slotted another goal past the West keeper.
Not to be outdone, West’s Jeremy MacKensie was able to narrow the margin just before half time to see the scoreline at 2-1.
West came out stronger in the second half and applied pressure on the Strikers’ defence, but could not convert.
Despite another goal to West before the final whistle, Strikers added two more to its total to come away with a 4-2 victory.
DIVISION 1 WOMEN – WEST 2 d NARACOORTE 0
IT looked ominous early for Naracoorte in Sunday’s Division 1 women Lower South East hockey encounter against West, when Charlotte Foote opened the scoring less than a minute into the first quarter.
The build up to that goal was fast and furious until Tess Kenseley sent a good pass to Foote, who was waiting patiently to put the ball away from the penalty spot.
Naracoorte responded by redoubling its defensive efforts and the game soon settled into a fairly even affair.
West had the better quality possession, but Naracoorte seemed to have an edge in its hunger for the ball.
The entire game played out largely in the midfield, with both teams finding limited opportunities in front of goal.
The full backs from both teams provided solid resistance and saw the sides locked in a stalemate for most of the game.
It was not until West’s Paige Clark pushed forward in the final minute West was able to extend its lead, as she found space to score from the top of the attacking circle.
In the end it came down to the first and final minute of the match which separated Naracoorte from the premiership points.
DIVISION 2 WOMEN – STRIKERS 2 d/w REDBACKS 2
STRIKERS and Redbacks shared the points for round 10 of the Division 2 women’s hockey season with a two-all draw.
Despite Strikers controlling the majority of play in the first quarter it was Redbacks which scored first off a short corner.
Strikers’ midfield secured several short corners in response, but the plays were inconsistent and unsuccessful.
Eventually the side found the reply with a goal from Tara Henningsen off a Tayla England pass.
Strikers continued to maintain possession, but excellent defence and marking from Redbacks and solid goal keeping by Neave Delaney saw the attacks repelled.
Redbacks scored a second goal through Ange Kain and for some time it appeared the side was going to sneak away with the points.
However, England scored the equaliser and at the final whistle the scores remained locked.
DIVISION 3 WOMEN – STRIKERS 1 d WEST 0
A LOW-scoring affair saw Strikers with a 1-0 win over West in their Division 3 women’s match.
Strikers dominated the game early with some good team play and when a short corner was awarded Di Horbury scored the first and only goal of the match.
From there the scoreboard went untouched despite best efforts from both teams.
The second half saw Strikers continue to find chances to score, but those shots were all defended well by West’s Kathleen Finney and Lisa Jewell.
West’s Agnes Doyle had a last-minute scoring chance to level the game, but it went unconverted and Strikers claimed the points in a tight encounter.
UNDER 15 GIRLS – TIGERS 2 d STRIKERS 0
TIGERS’ Under 15 girls claimed a 2-0 victory over Strikers.
The victors started well to have several opportunities off short corners, but the Strikers defence of Maddie Derrington and Bridie Horbury held back those attempts.
However, Tigers eventually broke through the back line and Lauren Montgomery scored the first goal of the game.
The second goal saw Abbey Hood score on a deflection off the goal post, extending the margin to two goals.
Strikers Chloe Boylan, Jess Gerritson and Zoe James played well throughout the middle and made several leads into attack, but were unable to convert and as a result Tigers claimed the win.
UNDER 12 GIRLS – STRIKERS 2 d TIGERS 1
A CLOSE game between Tigers and Strikers saw the latter with a 2-1 win in round 10 of the Under 12 girls hockey competition.
The game started well with the play open to both teams in an even match-up.
Strikers’ Tilley Derrington dominated the game both in defence and attack and her fast breaks across the field resulted in Strikers’ two goals for the game.
The efforts of Strikers defender Sophie Waters and goal keeper Abbey Gerritsen prevented Tigers from converting.
That was until Clare Hopgood found a way through the defence line to score in the second half, but it was not enough to deny Strikers the win.
