IT was another action-packed weekend of hockey with a number of exciting clashes taking place.
Division 1 Men.
Tigers 4 d West Gambier 1.
The Tigers clashed with West in the highly-anticipated Lower South East Hockey Association Division 1 clash on Sunday.
The Tigers continued their strong momentum as they got off to the better start.
Connor Grant sent a short corner into the area which was trapped by Greg Doll, but Lachlan Nisbet’s shot went wide.
Aaron Menglar went on an impressive run down the right as he beat a number of defenders, before he crossed the ball to Jarryd Burston, who sent the ball into the back of the net.
The Tigers’ momentum continued in the second quarter as they searched for their second goal of the game.
Menglar had a shot off the back of a short corner that was saved by Roy Hutchesson, but Doll reacted quickly to score off the back of the rebound and give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
West hit back on the counter as a great ball by David Vine into the circle was touched in by Angus Aiken to give West their first goal of the game.
However, the Tigers hit back, as Nisbet was rewarded for his high work-rate with a goal in the third quarter.
Brady Cooper rounded the game out with a great back-stick goal to seal the win for the Tigers.
Riddoch Strikers 6 d Division 2 Tigers 1.
The Strikers took on the Tigers’ Division 2 team on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers got off to a strong start as Juke Rogers scored the first goal of the game.
The Strikers hit back almost immediately through youngster, Cameron Taylor.
Harry Robinson was in inspired form in goals for the Tigers as he made a number of exceptional saves to keep his side in the contest.
However, Robinson was unable to prevent the Strikers from running away with the game.
Strikers proved too strong as thy went on to win by five goals.
Jordan Millhouse and Dean McCarthy both scored two goals while Caleb Lindsay also found the back of the net.
The win continued the Strikers’ unbeaten start to the season as they sit in second place on the ladder, only behind the Tigers on goal difference.
Cavaliers 5 d Redbacks 0.
It was a clash between two sides that were in the midst of rebuilds.
The game set off at frantic pace, as the Redbacks had a promising attack in the early stages that was brought to a halt by the Cavaliers’ Stefan Unger.
The deadlock was broken when Nark Bowyer set up two goals, to give the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The Redbacks continued to pressure the Cavaliers in the second half as Aaron Barry created a number of chances for his forwards.
The Cavaliers withstood the pressure and ran away with the game through some great goals by Richmond Clayfield to give his side a five-goal win.
Division 1 Women.
West Gambier 4 d Riddoch Strikers 1
Players braved the cold on Saturday night as last year’s premiers, West Gambier, took on a young Strikers side.
The first quarter was hard-fought as both sides put pressure on the opposing defences.
The Strikers soon found the breakthrough as they scored from a great counter-attack.
West then lifted their game as they tested Strikers’ goalie, Kate Fabian who stood tall in goals.
However, West soon found the breakthrough thanks to a dangerous counter-attack from the right, the ball was crossed to Ashlea Dunn who slotted West’s first goal.
The reigning premiers began to flex their strength in the second-quarter as Dunn beat Fabian in goal for the second time in the game.
West entered the main break with a slender 2-1 lead.
They soon took control of proceedings in the third quarter and were dominant in possession.
A great solo-effort from Dana Jones on the right, opened up the Strikers’ defence before she crossed the ball in to Paige Clark, who gave West a 3-1 lead.
West continued their dominance into the fourth quarter and Jones put the icing on the cake to make it 4-1.
Redbacks 5 d Tigers 2.
The Redbacks continued their dominance this season as they claimed a three-goal win over Tigers.
Steph Wighton was impressive in front of goal as she scored two goals for the Redbacks.
Lauren Manser, Anna Mitchell and Lexi Merrett also scored for the Redbacks.
The Tigers were able to get on the scoresheet in the last quarter as Ashleigh Doll and Brooke Marcus both scored, but it was only a consolation.
