Semi Finals Review

Top teams take first hockey grand final berths
The top teams in each division have won their way through to take the first berths in Wimmera Hockey Association’s grand finals after semi finals matches were played on Saturday at Horsham.
Tigers, Highlanders and Kangaroos have the first grand final spots. Each finished on top of their respective ladders at the end of home and away matches.
Tigers defeated Hoops in a close men’s qualifying final. Hoops took the game to them on Saturday and gave them a scare starting off well with good team work. Hoops scored first blood but Tigers answered the call ten minutes after. The scores were level at half time.
A dramatic injury from a collision of players saw Yanac’s Kim Croot knocked out and he left the field for the remainder of the game.
Tigers worked their way back to take the win 3-2 and earn the first grand final berth.
Michael Dart, Adam Clohesy and Kim Croot scored for Tigers. Tammy Goyne and Shane Langman scored for Hoops.
Highlanders had an emphatic win in the women’s qualifying final 5-1 over Dimboola Women. Dimboola had the majority of early play but could not capitalise. After their nervous start Highlanders scored a strong field goal late in the half through Carmel McFarlane who scrambled another off a short corner to take the lead 2-0 at half time.
Highlanders dominated the second half with excellent passing bringing all players into the game. They scored through Kate Ferrier, Ellie Morrow and Rebecca Batchelor.
Dimboola struggled for a team on the day and were buoyed by some juniors. They kept trying and scored one through Lisa Robson, but they were no match for Highlanders’ determination.
Top junior side Kangaroos is looking very strong after their big 5-0 win over Nhill side Leopards, who beat them in last year’s grand final.
The Dimboola juniors scored three goals in the first despite good defence by Nhill keeping the ball mostly midfield. They scored a further two goals as they dominated the second half.
Nathan Jorgensen scored twice while Michael Pohlner and brothers Brydon and Brett Tischler also scored in the win.
Kaniva Men bow out of the season after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Horsham Hurricanes in the men’s elimination final.
The undermanned Kaniva side, due to a wedding on the day, were propped up by three juniors as allowed by the association executive for this finals series. The juniors had each played their own junior final for Raiders before taking to the field in the last match of the day to help the men barely field a team.
Both teams created goods scoring chances with Horsham creating structured forward play and Kaniva playing a fast open game. Horsham scored from scrambly field play to take a 1-0 lead at the break.
Hurricanes scored early in the second half but Kaniva never gave up scoring twice through Meyer brothers Fergus and Kendal to draw level. The match was on but Hurricanes scored the winner with two minutes to go.
Will Hewitt, Ryan Robson and Paul Mackereth scored Hurricanes’ goals.
Warrack Women scored early through Karen Triffitt in their elimination match against Yanac Women. Yanac had their chances to score in a slow paced game but were thwarted by good defence from Warrack.
Yanac had more chances to score early in the second half but could not find the back of the net. A strong goal from Jenny Gaulke late in the match sealed the win for Warrack, 2-0.
In the junior elimination final Warriors got a good start over Raiders scoring in the first minute through Bradley Alexander. Even play followed for the half and early into the second. Sam Bone through some clever play flicked one passed the goalie. Raiders were tiring while Warriors lifted and it wasn’t long before Nathan Alexander got one through. Sam Bone snuck in his second just before the whistle to take the win 4-0.
- Rachel Clark