THE Lower South East Hockey Association recently sent an Under 13 boys team to compete in the state hockey championships at West Beach hockey fields in Adelaide.
In a solid performance the side returned home as runner-up for the event, with a good display of spirit and sportsmanship over the three days.
Coached by Mick Carne, the side consisted of 14 players representing all Mount Gambier based clubs – five of who were making their debut at state level.
The competition started with six minor round pool games, before the Lower South East moved on to the semi-final, then the grand final.
The opening game of the tournament was a 4-1 win over Port Lincoln.
Lower South East captain Will Cameron scored two goals for the match, while debutantes Nash Lobley and Harrison DeGaris scored one each.
With an hour’s rest in between each of the three games on the opening day, the team was well rested heading into match two against Sunraysia.
The Lower South East made short work of its opponent with three goals in both halves.
The midfield of DeGaris, debutante Jeremy Mackenzie, Jack Sharman and Rhys Earle created drive and structure to gain advantage of the game and sent the ball into the forward 25 on several occasions.
They found Ethan Carne up forward who scored one goal, while Lobley slotted two and DeGaris, debutante Orlando Vause and attacking midfielder Jack Sharman also scoring.
The third game of the day was a solid all-round team effort against Forestville.
Sharman scored in the first half and Carne converted two in the second half to set up the 3-0 victory.
The following day consisted of another three pool games.
Game one was a tight match-up with Seacliff, with the Lower South East holding on for a 1-0 win.
The solid defence of Cameron, Pattrick Robinson, Blake Vause, debutante Josh Younger, Jack Leishman and Patrick Langsmith did well to concede only one defensive short corner under heavy pressure.
Goal keeper Devlin Harpham was also in fine form, while Lobley received a long ball from Sharman to score the match winner.
The following match was a comfortable 4-0 win over Riverland, while game six was the toughest match of the minor rounds.
Adelaide Uni was a strong team and the encounter was also Lower South East’s first turf game.
As a result, the style of play needed to change and a fast-paced clash started.
Harpham was strong in the last line of defence and aided by the forwards Lower South East held a 2-1 lead at half time.
Adelaide Uni hit back after the break and a two-all draw resulted, but it was enough to guarantee Lower South East the top spot in its pool.
A meeting with Upper South East was all that stood in the way of a grand final berth and a good team effort put them through with a 3-0 victory.
Lobley maintained his accuracy for the tournament to score all three goals for the match.
The win set up a rematch with Adelaide Uni in the decider, which was played at South Australia’s premier hockey facility “The Pines”.
Adelaide Uni dominated the midfield and put massive pressure on the Lower South East defence from the start.
With nine short corners in the first half and six in the second, the Adelaide-based team had all the attacking momentum.
However, Lower South East held firm and did not concede until the final 10 minutes of the game, where Adelaide Uni scored to claim the championship 1-0.
DIVISION 2 MEN- TIGERS 2 d RAMS 0
TIGERS proved too strong for its Naracoorte guests when the two Division 2 teams locked horns in Round 11 of Lower South East hockey.
Both sides started the first quarter with strong defence, but a lack of players saw the Rams on the back foot early.
They only had 11 players available, which prevented interchange and forced them to preserve themselves throughout the game.
However, neither team was able to score in the opening half of the match.
After the main break a frustrated Tigers’ forward line put some heavy pressure on the Rams’ defence and a quick break rewarded them with a goal.
The game remained up for grabs in the final term, but a second Tigers goal in the last 15 minutes sealed the victory.
Despite several more attempts, the Rams held Tigers at bay and the 2-0 margin remained at the final whistle.
DIVISION 2 WOMEN – TIGERS 0 d/w WEST 0
AN entertaining match under lights saw West and Tigers share the points in the Division 2 women’s hockey clash at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday night.
Both teams have struggled to find consistent form this season, but by virtue of its superior ladder position Tigers went into the game as slight favourites.
However, West put a quality side on the park and the early stages of the game showed it would be a tight affair.
The match was decided at the defensive end of the field, as both teams fielded strong defensive units.
As a result the scoreboard went untouched for the entire game and a nil-all draw resulted.
Tigers had opportunities in attack, but could not slip past the resilient defence of Steph Ward, while Charli Hockey also made a strong contribution at centre-half back.
Kirrily Cooper provided equally strong defence for Tigers, which ensured both teams left the field unsatisfied.
