DIVISION 1 MEN – WEST 2 d STRIKERS 1
A LACKLUSTRE start by both teams and a nil-all scoreline at quarter time left the crowd hoping for more in the West versus Strikers Division 1 men’s Lower South East Hockey Association contest at Blue Lake Sports Park on the weekend.
West seemed to penetrate its attacking circle more often than its opponents, but despite several opportunities for both sides, goals proved elusive.
The tempo increased in the second quarter, but an early back stick attempt from the top of the circle by Strikers veteran Mark DeGaris fell short.
In the second quarter a strong hit from West’s David Vine resulted in a high deflection into goals off the stick of Chris Calliss, to finally put a score on the board.
Meanwhile, Strikers picked up its game in the third, dominating the attack following a missed opportunity by West’s Connor Clark with a goal for the taking falling short.
Strikers were finally rewarded for its persistence with a clean strike from the right by Dean McCarthy to level the scores.
West tried to rally as Vine directed traffic from the back.
West doubled down coming out of the third quarter break, but some impressive goalkeeping by young Strikers goalie Mason Hill and a flooded defence did not leave much room to execute a goal.
West had several penalty corners and finally with seven minutes to go, Vine converted a penalty corner strike to take the lead.
Strikers pressed again trying to equalise, but despite some anxious moments, West held on to win 2-1.
DIVISION 1 MEN – TIGERS 12 d REDBACKS 0
THE Redbacks men were up against it from the start taking on the reigning premiers.
Tigers took control of the game from the first whistle with Luke Hunter directing play in the middle.
Tigers managed four goals in the first quarter, which set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Aaron Mengler found the net twice, while Conner Bartlett and Tim Boxal scored one goal each.
Greg Doll and Dylan Montgomery were solid in defence and made it difficult for Redbacks to attack.
Two penalty corner goals in the second quarter pushed the score out to six-nil at half time.
Redbacks defenders of Aaron Barry and Jason McKinnon worked tirelessly, but the Tigers’ forwards were a class above.
Another three goals were added in the third term after Mengler increased his tally with another two goals and Jarryd Burston added his name to the score sheet.
Aiden McCarthur was creative for Redbacks, but had little support in the front half.
In the last quarter Tigers finished with three more goals after new UK recruit Aiden Thatcher hit the top corner of the net to end the game at 12-0.
Mengler finished with six goals in a class performance in the midfield.
DIVISION 1 WOMEN – TIGERS 1 d REDBACKS 0
TIGERS and Redbacks played out a competitive tussle on Saturday night searching for their first wins of the 2020 season.
Both teams were equally impressive up each end of the field, but none could find the back of the net.
Redbacks’ strong forwards Zara Blackwell and Lauren Manser created several attempts throughout the first half, but good defence from Tigers’ Billie Jones held firm.
At the other end Tigers tried to find a circle entries, but was shut down by the quick Nicole Vause.
Tigers managed to overcome Vause with smart passing to Latisha Adam, who worked the ball around the base line and into a foot to earn a penalty corner.
However, the score remained at nil-all at the main break after Tigers narrowly missed the goals.
Tigers finally broke the deadlock in the third quarter after Brooke Marcus led the ball into the attacking 25 and scored with a strong hit across goals deflected by Kaela McKee.
Redbacks tried to score an equaliser, but Olivia Turner proved too strong.
Tigers eventually held off the Redbacks’ strong attack to come away with a one-goal victory.
DIVISION 1 WOMEN – WEST 1 d STRIKERS 0
THE second round of the Lower South East Hockey Association women’s Division 1 season was played in pleasant conditions on the weekend.
Reigning premier West faced determined newcomer Strikers.
Strikers showed fight with a series of goal-scoring moments, but the players could not make the opportunities count.
West’s defence stretched thin, but stood strong despite being numbered for half of the game.
After both sides defences held strong, it all came down to the last quarter, as each team was desperate to find the back of the net.
Eventually West scored from a short corner rebound from new-recruit Dana Jones.
West’s defence continued to hold off the Strikers’ onslaught to secure a tight win.
DIVISION 2 MEN – TIGERS 7 d REDBACKS 0
TIGERS started strong against Redbacks in the round two LSEHA clash.
Simon McCourt and Chris Liddle linked up well to drive the ball into attack, while Mathew Fenwick found space up forward and it was not long until he placed the ball into the corner of the goals.
Redbacks defensive combination of goalkeeper Mitch Manser and his father, veteran Terry Manser at fullback made life hard for the Tigers forwards to score.
But Fenwick finished off of some good passing to score in near identical fashion to his first goal.
The young midfield combination of Blake McKee, Tom Howard and Tom Winkley worked well together to continually feed the ball to the Tigers forwards.
Mick Carne pounced on a loose ball in attack and beat a couple of players and the keeper to add to the goal tally.
Not to be outdone by his teammate Fenwick had his third before halftime with a solo run into the circle before dragging around the keeper with a dive to hit the ball into the goals.
Redbacks fought hard in the second half and came close to scoring through Robbie Drenthen and Steve Vause, but young Tigers goalie Harry Robinson the shot.
Some nice play between Craig Nisbet and McCourt had the latter on top of the circle and a hit past the keeper rewarded him for his hard work.
In the end, Tigers secured a comfortable seven-goal victory.
DIVISION 2 WOMEN – TIGERS 5 d REDBACKS 1
TIGERS enjoyed a flying start in the Division 2 women’s clash against Redbacks and scored in the opening few minutes thanks to Teena McKee.
Tigers linked up well down the right hand side of the field and a second goal arrived quickly after Shelley Carne converted on the end of an impressive sequence of passing by the side’s forwards.
McKee added the Tigers’ third goal in the second quarter by to take a commanding lead into the main break.
Redbacks worked hard in the third term and the connection between Naomi Brick and Angela Kain appeared threatening on several occasions, but Tigers’ goalie Rachel Larsen made a number of excellent saves.
Tigers capitalised at the other end with youngster Zoe Carne securing her first goal in Division 2, while Shelley Carne also added to her tally to record a five-nil lead.
A short corner ensured Redbacks finally hit the scoreboard after a clean hit in by Kain.
In the end, the Tigers’ strong team play proved decisive in the four-goal victory.
