Thursday, August 21, 2008

Semi Finals Preview

Hockey finals begin at Horsham
Wimmera Hockey Association finals series starts this Saturday with six semi-final matches at Horsham racecourse from 11am. All six clubs will be represented in the semi-finals.
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At 11am:
Highlanders play Dimboola Women in the women’s qualifying final.
Warriors play Raiders in the junior elimination final.
At 1pm:
Tigers play Hoops in the men’s qualifying final.
Kangaroos play Leopards in the junior qualifying final.
At 3pm:
Warrack Women play Yanac Women in the women’s elimination final.
Hurricanes play Kaniva Men in the men’s elimination final.
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Highlanders have dominated the women’s competition this season winning 16 out of 17 home and away matches. Highlanders have won three out of four of their encounters with Dimboola during the season, although Dimboola Women are the only team to have come close to them, drawing with them in one match. This will be a fierce competition battling for the first berth in the women’s grand final.
Warrack Women have won all three of their encounters with Yanac this season, although Yanac have done well in the last two only losing by one goal each. This could be a close match and the Yanac side will battle hard.
Warriors came close a top two spot on the junior ladder and will play hard against Raiders to further their season campaign. The teams have drawn twice while Raiders had the upper hand in their last encounter. It should be a close match and teams should be prepared to go to extra time or more. The winner of this match will play in the preliminary final next week.
Nhill will be pinning their finals hopes on their junior side Leopards, being the only Nhill side to play hockey finals this year. A win in their match would give them an immediate grand final berth, however they have not beaten the top side Kangaroos this year. Not since they beat them in the grand final last season. The tables may be turned this year and could make for an interesting rematch with a slightly different lineup.
The only side to have beaten Kangaroos this year is the Yanac Warriors who still have to get passed Kaniva Raiders in the junior elimination final.
Hoops won their first encounter with Tigers but Tigers have won their last two, the latest a convincing 6-2. Hoops are the reigning premiers having defeated Tigers in the final last year. Tigers will be wanting to secure their berth for another chance at the premiership.
Hurricanes have won two close encounters with Kaniva Men this year while the other was a draw. This one could come down to the wire with no second chances here.
Good luck to all teams playing in the 2008 finals series. Play hard but fair!
- Rachel Clark

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