Thursday, June 19, 2008

Round 10 Preview

First matches at Horsham this season
Horsham Hockey Club will host their first matches at their home field this season, hosting all nine matches in Wimmera hockey’s round ten.
Just over half way through the season’s home and away matches and it seems the top four in each division are nearly set unless there are some upset games.
There have not been any real upsets so far in the draws with teams playing to their strengths consistently and almost predictably.
Kangaroos take on Warriors from 11am on field one. Kangaroos are unbeaten winning all their eight games played this season. They are six points clear of second placed Leopards and should collect another four points when they play Warriors. It was a close 2-1 encounter in Kangaroos’ favour when they last played in round three with Warriors defending well and keeping the score low. Warriors can score against Kangaroos though, and it should be a good match.
Dimboola Women will have a good match against Warrack Women. Dimboola are proving themselves a tough to beat side this year, losing only twice out of nine games. They play Warrack who are their nearest chance to knock them out of the top two, and will do their best to retain the double chance in finals. Warrack are the quiet achievers this year and always seem to time it right at finals time. Teams will want to watch out for them making a comeback into top hockey.
The biggest chance for a change is in the women’s top four. If Yanac Women won a couple of games soon they might be a chance to make finals. It is unlikely to happen this week when they take on Highlanders who have won all of their nine games played this season. Yanac are a good side, however, and might be able to take something away from that game and score some points in their next few games which should see them evenly matched with their opponents including Nhill and Kaniva.
Kaniva has a place in the top four, eight points ahead of Nhill. Nhill will be looking to close the gap a little if they have finals in their sights, while Kaniva will want to hang on and give themselves a good chance to play finals.
Field two games get the early start from 9.30am with juniors Revengers and Kookaburras. Both are unlikely to reach finals and will enjoy a good even match, building on their strengths and team play.
Raiders should keep their third spot on the junior ladder after they meet Bombers.
Thunderbirds will need to make a move shortly if they want a hope to reach finals. Sitting bottom of the ladder two games’ worth of points outside a finals berth they would need to start with a win against Kaniva Women this week. Thunderbirds and Kaniva Women should enjoy an even match but Kaniva may have the advantage.
Dimboola Men will need to be fast. Hoops will be looking for a good result following last week’s loss to top team Tigers. Hoops will need to keep winning matches to retain their spot in the top two.
Hurricanes are only just outside the men’s top two, and will work hard but may not be strong enough for Tigers who seem to be strengthening as the season goes by.
Junior team Leopards have the bye.
- Rachel Clark

No comments: