DIVISION 2 WOMEN – RIDDOCH STRIKERS 1 d/w REDBACKS 1
IT was a close contest from the first whistle between Redbacks and Riddoch Strikers to kick off round 18 of the Lower South East hockey.
Tara Henningsen and Tayla England started strong for the Strikers, but the Redbacks backline proved difficult to penetrate as both sides struggled to maintain possession.
Ange Kain almost broke the deadlock, but narrowly missed the right goal post.
Riddoch Strikers soon responded with a great display of teamwork, but could not convert any short corner opportunities.
The pace increased in the middle as the Strikers showed a quick and structured passing game.
This promise created more short corners, but were poorly executed once again.
A lapse in concentration saw Redbacks pounce through Naomi Brick who scored the first goal of the match.
The game suddenly became alive as the Strikers responded straight away.
Anna Mitchell made a great run from midfield to dribble the ball in and level the scores.
After the entertaining passage of play, the game’s pace slowed after the half time as both sides struggled to find a way through the defensive set ups.
The result was inevitable after a massive downpour saw the match finish as a draw.
Best Redbacks players were Isadora Bogle, Bethanie Brody and Kain, while Tayla England, Tara Henningsen and Karen Boylan performed for Riddoch Stirkers.
DIVISION 3 WOMEN – RIDDOCH STRIKERS 5 d CAVALIERS 0
RIDDOCH Strikers were a dominant force in the cold and wet conditions against an undermanned Cavaliers side.
It did not take long for the Strikers to open the scoring though a converted short corner from Janet Collier.
A big win was already on the cards after strong team work from Aleesha Searle and Grace DeGaris set up a scoring opportunity for Di Horbury who swept it into the net.
Already two-nil down, Cavaliers’ defensive line up of Karen McGregor, Andrea Zeven and goalkeeper Lauren Miller were under intense pressure.
The trio offered some resistance, but an artistic tomahawk from Horbury undid the hard work and put a third goal on the scoreboard.
Horbury was in red-hot form and claimed a hat-trick during the third quarter.
In the hope of avoiding a thumping defeat, Cavaliers stepped up its attack as Cassie Langman, Gabby Banks and Casey Stevenson fought hard for control, but could not make any inroads.
After braving the torrential conditions, Riddoch Strikers notched up a convincing five-nil victory with Horbury, Collier and De Garis named in the best, while Cavaliers were led by Deborah Waye, Lauren Miller and Banks.
DIVISION 3 MEN – STRIKERS 7 d CAVALIERS 1
STRIKERS fired from the first whistle in a high scoring game against Cavaliers on Friday night.
Youngster Isaac Stubberfield exhibited strong connecting play to help set up Strikers’ opening two goals.
Andrew Thomas and Mat Boylan were both on and proved tough opposition for the Cavaliers’ defensive duo of Jeremy Kekewick and Chris Stevensons.
A third goal came the way of Boylan as Cavaliers started to fight back.
Antony Baseley played with tenacity to kick clear many shots out of danger and a goal was the deserving result after Rick Kleznig edged past the Strikers’ keeper to put Cavaliers on the board.
Cavaliers continued its fightback and created a number of scoring opportunities, but could not make further inroads.
After Strikers held off the Cavaliers’ counterattack, it started to increase its lead once again.
Boylan finished with a hat-trick, while Thomas scored two goals to headline a big 7-1 win.
Stubberfield, Daryl Watson and Boylan were named as the best for the victors, while Rick Kleinig, Baseley and Jordan Fabianwere Cavaliers’ top performers.
UNDER 15 GIRLS – RIDDOCH STRIKERS 1 d WEST 0
RIDDOCH Strikers started its Under 15 girls match against West in impressive fashion on Sunday.
The Strikers showed some great stick-to-stick hockey through the likes of Lauren Miller, Brooklyn Hill, Selina Coombe and Jess Gerritsen.
The hard work paid off when Gerritsen converted a short corner penalty to score the opening goal.
Tori Grosse, Ella Higgins and Ella Clarke stepped up West’s defence in response and contested many tackles.
Daisy Stevens threatened on right half and almost levelled the scores.
West found some opportunities to remain in the game, but Strikers were stronger on the grass to notch up the win.
Best players for the victors were Sophie Waters, Madison Derrington and Monique Shephard, while Mercedes Theobald, Mia Kleinig and Tess Kenseley represented West.
UNDER 12 GIRLS – RIDDOCH STRIKERS 3 d WEST 0
ROUGH conditions greeted Riddoch Strikers and West on the grass at Blue Lake Sports Park.
Strikers opened the scoring early and controlled much of the play.
Brooklyn Hill and Tilly Derrington were a standout, but West’s defence proved more than a match.
Eventually after relentless attempts, Riddoch Strikers scored a second goal just before half time.
The Strikers finished as comfortable three-nil winners with Derrington the leading goal scorer with two majors.
She was joined by Hill and Lucy Lambert in the best players honours for the victors.
Under constant pressure, Lauren Smith played an impressive game as West’s keeper and was joined by Heidi Collins and Sophie Grosse in the votes.
UNDER 12 BOYS – STRIKERS v CAVALIERS
Freezing conditions and short numbers forced Cavaliers to forfeit its Under 12 boys match with Strikers.
The game was to be played at 9am on Saturday morning, but a shortened 20-minute scratch match was the alternative agreed by both coaches.
Strikers filled in the missing Cavaliers positions as the players enjoyed the wet and muddy conditions.
