Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Preliminary Finals Review

Reigning premiers all bow out of hockey finals
No reigning premiers will contest the Wimmera Hockey Association 2008 grand finals after all three bowed out after some exciting preliminary finals at Yanac on Saturday.
Reigning premiers Leopards, Warrack Women and Hoops all lost their preliminary finals.
Warriors, Dimboola Women and Hurricanes have won their way through.
After sitting second on the junior ladder nearly all season Nhill Leopards bow out after losing their match to Yanac Warriors, who were a close second on the ladder.
Both the Warriors and Leopards defence worked over time in the wet conditions although Warriors had more shots at goal. Nathan Alexander scored for Warriors giving them a 1-0 lead at half time.
Warriors came out hard in the second half with Sam Bone scoring two goals. Michelle Farinha scored for Leopards. The match finished 3-1 to Warriors.
Best for Warriors were Sam Bone, Alex Wheaton, and Nathan and Bradley Alexander. Jack Janetzki, goalie Alex Welsh and Alannah Creek worked hard for Leopards.
Warriors spread the workload around their whole team and the efforts have paid off with them earning a place in the grand final next week.
Warrack Women will not get the chance to defend their title after losing to Dimboola Women in a very close game which was eventually decided by strokes. It is a rare occasion when the Warrack Women do not contest a grand final! This will give other teams a chance to share in the glory this year.
Warrack had finished third on the final ladder behind Dimboola.
Elizabeth Klinge scored early off a short to put Dimboola in front. Sue Puls did likewise just seconds before half time for Warrack.
About 15 minutes into the second half Sue Puls scored through another short corner to put Warrack in front. But their glory was shortlived with Adina King scrambling one through for Dimboola.
Scores were locked at 2-2 at full time, and no score was made in extra time.
In the deciding strokes Dimboola succeeded through Michelle Searle, Jess Ross and Elizabeth Klinge. Warracknabeal missed their first three strokes giving Dimboola the victory.
The final score was 5-2 to Dimboola giving them the grand final berth.
Jennifer Klinge, Elizabeth Klinge and Michelle Searle were best for Dimboola, while Alana Argent, goalie Kate Perkins and Teagan Hollan were best for Warrack.
Hurricanes have been quiet achievers this season sitting in third spot on the final ladder. They have beaten top teams although also succumbing to weaker teams. The men’s competition has been sometimes unpredictable this season including this win to Hurricanes. Hoops finished second on the men’s ladder ahead of Hurricanes.
There was very fast skilful play by both teams in the first half of their match which made the ground look dry. Horsham scored late in the first half.
The game continued to be fast and skilful into the second half with Horsham scoring through a good piece of team play early in the half. Warrack fought back hard to score with five minutes to go, through Jarrod Knoop. Warrack had penalty corners up to the end of play but were unable to convert.
Hurricanes took the win 2-1, and with it the final place in the grand finals.
Stuart Hoffman and Ben Schwedes scored Hurricanes’ goals while their best players were Will Hewitt, goalie Steve Grose and Luke Dunn.
Paul Slater, Scott Morrow, Stephen Laverty and Jarrod Knoop were best for Hoops.
- Rachel Clark

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