THE Lower South East Hockey Association returned to action on the weekend with a new-look competition.
Division 1 now consists of six teams after two teams were promoted to the top division.
Men’s Division 1: Tigers Division One 6 d Tigers Division Two 1
The Division 2 Tigers were promoted this season and faced their club’s Division 1 side for the first time.
The two Tigers teams faced off in one of the most highly anticipated games of the season.
The Division 2 Tigers were boosted after Lochie Nisbet returned from Premier League commitments in Adelaide.
His side had the majority of possession in the first quarter but were undone by a costly turnover as Aaron Menglar found an opening to score his first goal of the game.
An error in the circle shortly after allowed captain Luke Hunter to score from a penalty corner on the cusp of quarter-time to give the Division 1 side a 2-0 lead.
The lead extended to three goals early in the second quarter but the Division 2 team fought back as Mick Carne scored to keep his side in the game as they trailed 3-1 at the main break.
Division 1 managed to add another goal in the third quarter before Connor Grant and Patrick Robinson scored in the final term to ensure the win.
West Gambier 4 d Redbacks 0
The Redbacks and West Gambier Hockey Club went into their encounter hoping for a win after both side lost their first round fixtures.
The clash began as a close battle in the midfield as both teams adjusted to the tempo of the game.
West Gambier broke free after good play from Gavin Robertson who overlapped from defence to find David Vine who scored the first goal of the game.
Dominic Tucker’s pace was vital for the Redbacks as they tried to draw level in the game.
The Redbacks were unable to make the most of their opportunities in the second quarter and were made to pay as Angus Widdison extended West’s lead to two after he scored from a penalty stroke.
The West defence roved too strong for the Redbacks as they were unable to break their deadlock before Rhys Earle and Brayden Burston added goals for West Gambier to round-out their first win of the season.
Strikers 6 d Cavaliers 1
Connor Millhouse put in a strong performance for the Strikers as he scored four goals and claimed best on ground.
Dale Tucker and Dean McCarthy both added goals for the Strikers while Dominic Tucker scored the only goal for the Cavaliers.
Women’s Division 1: West Gambier 3 d Redbacks 0
The Women’s Division 1 competition saw the Redbacks and West meet in a grand final rematch from last season.
West started the game strongly as they created multiple chances to put the pressure on the Redbacks.
Angela Broad managed to break the deadlock as she gave West an early lead.
The Redbacks had Rachel Curtis to thank as she pulled off multiple strong saves to keep her side in the game.
West’s dominance in the midfield continued as they created more opportunities going forward and eventually extended their lead to two goals.
The Redbacks created chances late in the game but were unable finish any of them off as West flexed their strength when Broad added her second goal of the game and her team’s third to claim victory.
Riddoch Strikers 1-1 Tigers.
The second Division 1 game was a close contest as both sides searched for their first win of their campaign.
The Strikers scored the opening goal thanks to an unlucky deflection off a Tigers’ stick which left the goalkeeper with no chance of saving it.
The Tigers refused to be beaten as they continued to press on and Abbey hood created a number of chances for her side.
Ashleigh Doll was dangerous in attack for the Tigers but was unable to draw level as Redbacks’ goalkeeper Kate Fabian, denied the opposition on a number of occasions.
However, the Tigers eventually levelled proceedings thanks to a penalty corner by Kaitlyn Nisbet to head into the main break at 1-1.
The Strikers pushed forward to try and earn their first win of the season but were consistently repelled by the fullback line of Bianca Taylor and Deb Hicks.
The Strikers created a golden opportunity late in the third quarter as the ball sailed across the face of an open goal, but they were unable to convert.
Neither side were able to find a winner as the game ended in a draw.
