Round 17 Review - Yanac

Hockey returned to Yanac on Saturday. In a great game of end-to-end hockey the Nhill Leopards defeated the Kaniva Raiders 3-1. Brady Newcombe got the Leopards off to a good start with a very skilful goal and it was Leopards 1, Kaniva 0 at half time. The highlights of the half being the long runs into the forward line by Tom Cook and Adrian Creek and the clever play by Sarah Wallis and Natalie Jones that set up the runs.

Early in the second half the Raiders struck back with a goal from Brady Dixon and the game was very much alive. Tom Cook scored 10 minutes in after a great individual effort off a short corner and then scored again giving the Leopards a winning lead. Raiders Mat Wallis goalie made some terrific saves in goals and was ably assisted in defence by Roey Sanders and Tim Eastwood.

In the women’s competition Nhill Thunderbirds consolidated third spot on the ladder with a closely fought 1-nil victory over fifth placed Kaniva. The first half saw several quick runs into attack by the Wallis sisters only to be spoilt by the defensive skills of Claire Ritches for Kaniva. At half time it was nil all. The second half continued much in the same vein; however Laura Wallis managed to score a lucky goal, and Kaniva were unlucky not to score an equaliser at the death from a short corner.

Bottom placed Dimboola women had a 1 – nil victory over second placed Yanac. Again showing the closeness of the women’s competition. Michelle Searle was again very good for Dimboola as were Marli Sallman and Vicki Smithyman, with Adeni King scoring the lone goal. Best for Yanac were Erin and Anne Blackwood and Sarah Coughlan.

Horsham Highlanders held top team Warracknabeal to a 1 all draw. Both teams were determined not to give the other any advantage leading into the finals. In a gritty match in wet weather Horsham led early through a goal to Kate Ferrier but were pegged back by Warracknabeal late in the game by a Suzanne Puls goal. It seems now that a draw in the last round will be enough for the Highlanders to hold onto fourth place. They are 2 points and a goal difference of 4 ahead of fifth placed Kaniva.

Horsham Hurricanes got over the line in somewhat of an upset win against the Warracknabeal Hoops in a very close men’s game. A very determined Hurricanes got off to a good start and led 2-nil half way into second half. The fitter Hoops then started to have more of the attacking play and scored a goal with about 10 minutes to play. The Hoops continued to push forward but their momentum was thwarted by a strong Hurricanes defence led by Lochie Zordan and Jarrod Knoop.
Dimboola men surprised flag favourites by matching the Yanac Tigers for most of the match before losing narrowly in the dying minutes of their game. The score was 3-2 Yanac’s way, but this and other recent results must give the young Dimboola men’s side a lot of hope for next season.