Tigers struggle to keep up with classy West in Division 1 hockey contest

Strikers Brooklyn Hill And West Paige Chambers In A Tussle For The Ball While Wests Lauren Smith Awaits Her Opportunity20190727crop  TBW Newsgroup
EVEN CONTEST: Strikers' Brooklyn Hill and West's Paige Chambers tussle for the ball while West's Lauren Smith waits for an opportunity during the nil-all draw between the two Under 13 sides.

Strikers Brooklyn Hill And West Paige Chambers In A Tussle For The Ball While Wests Lauren Smith Awaits Her Opportunity20190727crop TBW Newsgroup
EVEN CONTEST: Strikers’ Brooklyn Hill and West’s Paige Chambers tussle for the ball while West’s Lauren Smith waits for an opportunity during the nil-all draw between the two Under 13 sides.

DIVISION 1 WOMEN – WEST 3 d TIGERS 0

HAVING faced each other a fortnight ago, Tigers’ Division 1 women hoped for a better result than their last encounter against West, but the latter proved too strong once again in round 16 of Lower South East hockey.

The game started full of energy and attack from both teams in a battle for the ascendancy.

A fast transition found West’s Angela Broad unmarked deep attack resulted in the first goal of the match and allowed her team to make a hold on the game.

Broad scored a second goal in similar circumstances in the second quarter and when Mercedes Theobald scored West’s third the game was decided.

Tigers did not back down and found opportunities through through Dana Jones and Brooke Marcus, but West was just too strong.

DIVISION 1 MEN – TIGERS 6 d STRIKERS 2

IT was a goal-fest in Division 1 Lower South East hockey on the weekend, when Tigers claimed a solid 6-2 win over Riddoch Strikers.

The first quarter was even and it was not until Aaron Mengler scored his first of four goals for the day with a minute to go in the term, the Tigers claimed the lead.

Strikers’ Dean McCarthy scored the equaliser in the second term, but that kicked Tigers into gear they created a string of opportunities at goal.

Those attempts went unconverted, until a team play from Lochie Nisbet to Greg Doll found Mengler who score his second.

Mengler scored his hat-trick soon after, which was answered by Striker’s Jordan Millhouse to keep the game alive at 4-2.

A scoreless third quarter fuelled the intensity, but Tigers broke away with two goals in the fourth to seal the deal.

DIVISION 2 MEN – TIGERS 4 d WEST 0

TIGERS’ Division 2 men piled the pressure on their West opponent, running away to an eventual 4-0 win in round 16 of Lower South East hockey.

West’s Andrew Widdison worked overtime to keep the Tigers forwards at bay in the first term, but in the second quarter Tigers pushed through to score the first goal of the match.

After that Tigers made a break and two more quick goals set up a solid lead at half time.

Heading into the second half, West tightened its defence and the scoring dried up, with the game played mostly in the midfield.

However, another penalty corner to Tigers saw Ben McCourt hit a powerful shot into the bottom corner of the box to reach the final 4-0 scoreline.

UNDER 15 BOYS – WEST 4 d TIGERS 1

UNDER 15 boys ladder leader West proved why it is on top of the table with a 4-1 win over third-placed Tigers on the weekend.

Tigers started strongly and managed to convert a penalty corner with a nice variation which resulted in a goal to Blake McKee early in the match.

However, that would be the side’s only success for the game, as West replied with heavy offensive pressure.

Angus Aitken ran rampant through the Tigers’ defences and soon the started to yield results, as West levelled the game and then added another three goals.

Tigers put in a valiant effort to try and regain composure, but could not convert its opportunities, thanks to the solid efforts of West’s Aiden Cameron in the back half.

UNDER 12 BOYS – TIGERS 4 d WEST 0

WEST and Tigers’ Under 12 boys faced off on grass for round 16 and both teams struggled to adapt to the bumps and bounces of the surface.

The first half was a battle of the mid-fields, but when Tigers converted off a penalty corner just before the break, it opened the floodgates for the second half.

Tigers took control in the second half and two quick goals from Kade McCourt set up a healthy 3-0 lead.

From there the scoreboard went untouched, until Xavier Liddle converted late in the game to hand Tigers a four-goal victory.

UNDER 15 GIRLS – TIGERS 8 d REDBACKS 1

IN the Under 15 girls hockey competition, Tigers dominated its clash against an understaffed Redbacks to claim a solid 8-1 victory.

The first goal of the game went to the in-form Abbey Hood, while team leader Lauren Montgomery was next to convert, before first season player Jasmine Grassi slotted two more before half time.

Redbacks’ Claire Moore and Layne Blackwell worked hard in defence, but struggled to hold back the Tigers onslaught.

In the second half Hood scored another goal and Zoe Carne hit a fine short corner ball into the bottom corner to set up a six-goal lead.

Moore then pegged one back for Redbacks from a solo run, but it was to no avail.

Tigers’ Clare Hopgood and Charlotte Adam both found the back of the box before the final whistle and finished off the comfortable victory.

UNDER 13 GIRLS – STRIKERS 0 d/w WEST 0

AN entertaining match was played between Riddoch Strikers and West’s Under 13 girls on Saturday morning, despite the scoreboard going untouched for the duration of the game.

In the first half Strikers dominated possession, with Brooklyn Hill and Sophie Walters controlling the midfield.

However, West’s Lauren Smith and goalkeeper Lacey Bullock put in an impressive effort to hold back the oncoming attack and head into the main break at nil-all.

West’s only opportunity to score for the half came on a penalty corner after the half-time whistle, but it was saved by the Strikers defence.

The second half was more even as West was buoyed by its late momentum, while attacking opportunities dried up for Strikers in a reversal of the first half.

West’s Heidi Collins was strong in the second half, supporting the attack and also making tackles in defence.

For Strikers Louredes Cleaver was a standout, providing some attacking opportunities.

However, neither team could apply the finishing touches and at the final whistle they were forced to share the points for the round.

UNDER 12 GIRLS – TIGERS 2 d/w REDBACKS 2

SPECTATORS were treated to another entertaining and intense junior hockey game when Tigers and Redbacks met in the Under 12 girls competition.

Redbacks drew first blood in the eventual two-all draw, off a fast break provided by Eliza Beck.

But Tigers fought back and levelled the scores shortly after as Natalia Vanderhorst put the final touch on a team goal.

Clare Hopgood then found a way past defenders to give Tigers the lead and head into half time 2-1 up.

Redbacks responded with high intensity in the second half and forced Tigers keeper Arabelle Searle to make several impressive saves.

They finally levelled the game again with a goal to Jorja Beck, but despite best efforts neither team was able to score the winner.

In the end the draw was a fair result, as both teams put in 100pc and displayed fine-tuned skills.