Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Round 11 Preview

Yanac hosts nine matches for first time this season
Yanac Hockey Club will host all nine Wimmera hockey matches for the first time this season. They have hosted matches this season but up until now only on the one field due to lack of rain and field condition. Recent rains will boost the fields and it should be a good playing surface, if not soft under-foot.
Many junior players will be full of confidence and use experience they have gained from their weekend of hockey in Melbourne at the junior country championships last weekend.
On field one from 11am Revengers will come up against the Kangaroos who had an upset loss last week and will be looking to reclaim their form.
Dimboola Women will be looking for a win to help keep their top two place on the ladder when they play Kaniva. Warrack Women, who beat Dimboola last round, are not far behind them and are building on their form as the season wears on. Kaniva are sitting comfortably in fourth place at the moment.
Yanac Women and Thunderbirds should enjoy an even match. Both can be strong defensive teams and this week’s outcome may depend on each team’s lineup.
Hurricanes could level the points with second-placed Hoops if they beat them this round but would still be behind on goal difference. However this would still be a position worth fighting for at this stage of the season.
On field two Warriors and Kookaburras have the early 9.30am start. Warriors claimed the first win over the top Dimboola junior side Kangaroos last round and will play the other Dimboola side Kookaburras this week, looking for a similar outcome.
Bombers will come up against Nhill Leopards who may want to increase their percentage to retain a firm hold on second spot on the junior ladder.
Warrack Women and Highlanders will meet and this will be a good preview for finals time. Warrack will be looking to redeem themselves after the nine-goal deficit they endured in their round one encounter. Highlanders have been strong all season winning ten straight games. Can they take an eleventh straight game or will a strengthening Warrack side end their run?
Kaniva and Dimboola men will enjoy an even match while Tigers should beat Nhill Men. But this is hockey and sometimes it can take only a lapse in concentration of a team or one good deflection and it can turn a game around.
Positions are still well up for grabs in each of the men’s, women’s and junior ladders with seven home and away rounds to go.
There are only two goals separating Leopards, Raiders and Warriors at the moment and with few points separating the second, third and fourth place on the ladder, if they continue as they are then goal difference may be a factor in deciding the top four junior positions. Kangaroos are still top of the junior ladder.
Raiders have the bye this week.
- Rachel Clark

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