Cavaliers claim upset victory

CONTROL: Ella Matheson looks to get past her opponent during the Tigers' win over the Strikers on Sunday. Picture: LACHLAN ONIONS.

Men’s Division 1

Division 2 Tigers 2 d Redbacks 1

FRIDAY night’s game between the Redbacks and the Tigers second team kicked off the weekend’s action for Round 5 of the Lower South East Hockey Association.

The clash was a tight contest between two evenly-matched sides.

Tigers went on the attack early but the Redbacks settled and were able to link-up passes throughout the midfield.

Jarrod Sanders finished off a neat passage of play to give the Redbacks the lead just before quarter time.

The Redbacks maintained their lead at the main break as neither side were able to find the back of the net in the second quarter.

The Tigers levelled the game early in the third quarter after an impressive back-stick goal from Tigers young gun Pattrick Robinson.

The goal swung momentum into the Tigers’ favour as they put pressure on the Redbacks.

Both teams went onto the attack in the final quarter as they searched for a winning goal.

The Redbacks created a number of opportunities but were unable to convert.

The Tigers then made the Redbacks pay as Craig Nisbett scored from a penalty corner to give his side a late lead.

The experienced Tigers defence held strong as the Redbacks desperately tried to even the scores and the final whistle sounded to give the Tigers an important win.

Cavaliers 3 d West Gambier 2

The reigning Division 1 premiers suffered a shock-loss the newly-promoted Cavaliers in Round 5.

West dominated the game early but the Cavaliers held strong and created an opportunity of their own.

With a quick rebounding play, the Cavaliers received a penalty corner which was converted by Joshua Aston.

Cavaliers’ half back, Jesse Dowdy, created another penalty corner for the underdogs which was again converted by Aston.

The Cavaliers were two goals up after just seven minutes.

West continued to pressure the Cavaliers’ defence as they fired shot after shot, before Anthony Baseley let a Nathan Taylor deflection slip by and West trailed by just the one goal at halftime.

West’s Angus Widdison and Brayden Burston provided attacking pressure and the scores were levelled with one quarter left to play.

West had momentum on their side and continued to search for a winning goal.

Tim McGregor found Daniel Harradine with a perfect pass to give Harradine a one-on-one with the West goalkeeper.

Harradine gave the Cavaliers the lead with a quick flick over the keeper.

The Cavaliers flooded their defence for the final two minutes of the game as they held on for a memorable 3-2 victory.

Tigers 5 d Strikers 1

The Tigers continued their wining start to the season as they defeated the strikers by four goals in a dominant display against last year’s finalists.

Aaron Menglar was back in the goals after missing out last week, as he scored a hat-trick for his side, while Greg Doll and Lochie Nisbet also found the back of the net.

Nisbet and Luke Hunter controlled the game for the Tigers in the midfield.

Dean McCarthy was the best player for the Strikers and scored their only goal of the game.

Women’s Division 1

Tigers 7 d Strikers 0

It was dominant performance from the Tigers as they claimed their first win of the season.

Kaitlyn Nisbet opened the scoring with a goal off a short corner.

Another great chance presented itself moments later, but a great diving save by goalkeeper Kate Fabian prevented the Tigers from doubling their advantage.

It would not take the Tigers long to find their second goal as Brooke Marcus carried the ball into the circle and dished the ball to Emma Ryan who deflected the ball into the goal.

The flood gates soon opened for the Tigers as Marcus stole the show as she scored four goals.

Olivia Turner also chipped in with a goal to seal the seven-goal win.

Phoebe Tregenza and Tayla England fought valiantly for the Strikers in the midfield and Fabian made a number of saves.

Redbacks 3 d West Gambier 2

The Redbacks came from behind to claim victory in their Round 5 clash against West on Saturday.

West were full of energy at the beginning of the game as they scored the first two goals of the game through Gemma Ballintyne and Dana Jones.

The Redbacks were dangerous on the counter attack as they searched for a way back into the game.

Steph Wighton scored from a penalty corner to reduce West’s lead.

The Redbacks soon equalised through Anna Mitchell.

The game looked likely to end in a draw as neither side were able to find a breakthrough in the tightly-fought midfield battle.

However, the Redbacks found a late winner through Mitchell to seal a 3-2 win.