DIVISION 2 MEN – RAMS 4 d CAVALIERS 2
ROUND 11 of the Lower South East Hockey Association saw the Naracoorte Rams travel to Mount Gambier to lock horns with Cavaliers in the Division 2 men’s competition.
The hosts won the toss and made the tactical move to give the Rams the ball first.
The tactic did not go as planned and the visitors scored two quick goals in the first half of the game, before Cavaliers narrowed the margin to a goal after a penalty corner in the final minutes of the half.
However, the Rams were eager to maintain their lead and two more goals in the second half saw them do just that.
Eventually Cavaliers answered with a quick play and a fluke shot which awarded a second goal.
The final minutes saw end-to-end play, with Cavaliers desperate to score, but the defensive efforts of the Rams saw them hold on for a two-goal win.
DIVISION 1 WOMEN – TIGERS 2 d REDBACKS 0
A TOP-of-the-table clash between ladder leader Redbacks and second-placed Tigers saw the latter with a 2-0 victory over their rival in Division 1 women’s hockey.
The clash was high in intensity from the first whistle and Tigers took an early lead after a long ball into the circle and a deflection to striker Teena McKee.
Despite Redbacks pushing hard for the equaliser, the score remained 1-0 at quarter time.
The second quarter saw much of the same, with Redbacks pushing forward aggressively through Zara Blackwell and Jemma Heraper, but they could not find the final touch to defeat Tigers’ goal keeper Sophie Nisbet.
At half time the score remained untouched, while the third term saw Redbacks’ continue to create chances, but without reward.
Midway through the final term Tigers broke the arm wrestle and put the game out of Rebacks’ reach.
Dana Jones earned a short corner and a solid team play saw Olwyn Abblitt convert to extend the margin.
Redbacks did not give up, but were unable to hit the scoreboard and suffered a 2-0 defeat.
UNDER 15 GIRLS – TIGERS 7 d REDBACKS 0
TIGERS’ Under 15 girls took on an undermanned Redbacks side on the weekend, to come away with a solid 7-0 win.
It was always going to be tough for Redbacks and a goal from Tigers centre-forward Scarlett Creek in the first two minutes set the tone of the match.
Tigers dominated play through the midfield and despite the best efforts of Redbacks’ defence, Creek extended her tally to two shortly after her first.
Lauren Montgomery, Charlize Greyvenstein and Natalia Vanderhost all found the back of the goal in the first half, as the ball spent most of its time in Tigers’ attacking half.
Shae Delaney and Laine Blackwell put in 100pc for Redbacks and were able to lay some solid tackles, but could not make much of a forward foray.
Zoe Carne controlled the back-line for Tigers and provided a brick wall for the full match.
Tigers made some changed at half time which saw the game resume as a more even affair, as defender Charlotte Adam had a rare run in the forward line which saw her bag two goals.
Despite best efforts from Redbacks’ goal keeper, Tigers cruised to a comfortable seven-goal margin by the final whistle.
UNDER 12 GIRLS – TIGERS 2 d STRIKERS 0
THE Under 12 girls hockey ladder leader Strikers faced its closest rival Tigers in round 11, which provided an entertaining contest.
Tigers had the bulk of possession in the early stages thanks to midfielders Tayla Gaut and Lily McIntosh.
Clare Hopgood had several breakaway runs at centre-forward and put the first goal on the scoreboard early after she beat the goal keeper in a one-on-one.
Hopgood doubled Tigers’ lead with another skilful goal shortly after and that concluded the scoring for the match.
The second half saw Strikers push hard through Brooklyn Hill, but the Tigers’ defence led by Briony Pettingil and Natalia Vanderhorst kept them off the scoreboard.
Tigers goalie Arabelle Searle made some good saves to frustrate the Strikers attackers, while Laura Doll played a solid game at half-back for Tigers.
Other than the two early goals, the game was a tight battle, but Tigers claimed the bragging rights this time around.
