Showing posts with label Andrew Dorman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrew Dorman. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Round 18 Review

Final four positions were decided on Saturday in Warracknabeal in warm conditions.

Kaniva Raiders secured forth place with a strong performance against the Horsham Black Hawks. The best Raiders were Claire McDonald and Kendal Meyer, with Braden Clark scoring 2 goals. The highlight for the Black Hawks was a great solo goal to Andrew Valentine.

The Raiders victory meant the Nhill Bandits could not make the finals regardless of the result against the Warriors. The Bandits have performed well all season, and it is a shame they had to miss out on finals action. Jarryd Bendall controlled things in the middle as usual and was ably supported by sister Lauren and Ben Smith. The Warriors perhaps played their best game of the season drawing 2 all with the Bandits. Erin Blackwood again very solid in defence. While Alex Wheaton provide attacking and Adam

Horsham Highlanders also secured a finals birth with a convincing victory over second placed Nhill Thunderbirds. The Highlanders running and long passing game was too hot for the Thunderbirds, winning 3 nil.

Kaniva women’s only hope of making the finals was a Highlander loss. Knowing they couldn’t make the finals, Kaniva were very determined to end the season on a high note. Kaniva dominated the first half of their clash against Yanac with accurate passing to forwards from the half backs, resulting in many shots at goal. The second half was more even, but it was Kaniva’s Sharon Williams who scored the only goal from a loose Yanac pass.
Warracknabeal beat Dimboola women 4-2 in the other women’s match to finish the year on top of the ladder.

In the men the Yanac Tigers were impressive coming back from a 2 nil deficit to beat Kaniva 4-2. While the Hoops had too much fire power for Dimboola winning 4-1 and finished the year on top of the ladder.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Round 13 Preview - Super Saturday

Super Saturday a.k.a. round 13 of Wimmera hockey promises a lot of nail biting matches. In the women’s and men’s competitions top place on ladder is up for grabs, and final four positions could rest on the outcome of most other matches.

Warracknabeal’s men’s side the Hoops have the chance to knock the Yanac Tigers off the top of the ladder. A position they have made their own since early last year. Despite some close matches the Hoops have not been beaten since round 2. With the continual improvement of younger players such as the Bardell brothers and the re-emergence of Shane Langman, the Hoops have the ability to cut through any defence. However the Tigers are not on the top for nothing and have strength all over the field. It should be a brilliant match.

Kaniva men meet the Hurricanes in the other men’s match. The Hurricanes have had the wood over Kaniva to date, but the games have been a lot closer than the score lines have suggested. Kaniva’s young brigade in Ben Schwedes, Clint Beattie, and Reilly Sanders will be keen to prove a point before an expected semi-final meeting.

The women’s top of the table clash also sees Warracknabeal play Yanac. Both teams are in good form. For Warracknabeal, Alana Argent and Jenny Ford are having a great year and provide much of the team’s drive. Warracknabeal’s better ability to score goals may be the difference in the end. Yanac also has many good players and will need Sarah Coughlin and Mandy Faulting to continue their terrific form if they are to be in it at the end.

The Highlanders will be pressing to continue their recent good form and keep the hope of playing finals alive. They play Kaniva whose form, on the other hand, has dropped a little in recent times. Kate Ferrier, Ellie Morrow, and Launa Schilling will be key for Horsham, while Hannah Bedford, Donna Meyer, and Rachel Clarke have been playing well for Kaniva. Both teams however have had difficulty in scoring and this is expected a very close match.

The Thunderbirds play Dimboola in what is expected to be another even, tense, and vital match. Much will depend on whether the Thunderbirds can put their best team on the field. The Thunderbirds were without key players last week and really suffered. Dimboola, who have been performing well against the top teams, will be hoping for a little bit of good fortune to go their way for a change.

In the juniors the Raiders and the Bandits meet each other in a vital clash. A win to the Raiders will probably put them in the four, whereas a win to the Bandits will consolidate their position of third on the ladder and make the road to the finals difficult for the Raiders.

In other matches forth placed Revengers have a tough job against the free scoring Kangaroos, but it should be a very entertaining game of hockey. The Warriors take on the undefeated Leopards so will be keen to impress. And the final match sees the Kookaburras play the Bombers, which should also be a close match, with both teams having a chance for a rare win. Cara Elsom and Jaime Guerin are playing good hockey for the Kookaburras and will have to be watched by the defence of the Bombers led by Josh Sykes-Atkins and Matt Tepper.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Round 4 Review

It was the women’s hockey games that held the most interest in round 4 of Wimmera hockey in Yanac on Saturday.

The top of the ladder clash between the Thunderbirds and Warracknabeal Women saw an excellent 2 nil victory to Nhill. Ebony Stephens and Pam Cramer ably led the Nhill team. Julie Langman and Cathy Noone fought bravely in defence for Warracknabeal.

The Highlanders recorded their first win of the year against the more favoured Yanac Women. A tight first half had both teams driving forward, with Launa Schilling controlling things in defence and Kate Ferrier also impressive for the Highlanders. Within 30 seconds of the half time break Denise Vallance scored for the Highlanders. This was followed by many Highlander attacks on goal in the early part of the second half but with Anne Blackwood Yanac’s standing strong in defence, Horsham could not break through. Yanac managed a couple of good goal opportunities late but were not able to convert.

Kaniva Women managed to get past Dimboola in the other women’s match. Both teams dominated at different stages throughout the match, and it was two goals within 5 minutes by Chelsea Sanders that gave Kaniva a winning lead. Dimboola continued to have their chances. Lisa Robson and Jess Ross playing well, and managed to convert through Michelle Searle but could not bridge the gap.

In the juniors the Leopards and Bandits played a fantastic match. Fast end to end hockey saw a great late goal to youngster Jayden Newcombe break the deadlock. Leopards best included Adrian Creek, and Tom Cook, while the Jarryd and Lauren Bendall starred for the Bandits.

The Horsham Black Hawks had a big win over the Warriors. Andrew Valentine was the goal scorer and best for the Black s were Sean Creek, Ally Slater and Elly O’Connor. While Alex Wheaton, Erin Blackwood and Marny Croot all played well for the Warriors.

Kaniva Men got up in the dying seconds of their match against Dimboola to record their first victory in the competition. Well done Kaniva.

Round 3 Preview

Saturday sees all matches moved to Davis Oval in Nhill. The highlight being two top class junior matches scheduled to be played under lights. The Bandits take on the Raiders and the Warriors play the Leopards.

The Bandits – Raiders match is too close to call as both teams take good form into the match. The Bandits will be ably led by Jarryd Bendall with a strong supporting cast including Jack Jenetski, Lauren Bendall, Ben Smith, and Morgan Heenan. The Raiders have Kendal Meyer in attack and he will provide plenty of threat, while Tim Eastwood and Liam Wallis up back should make it difficult for the Bandits forwards.

In the second night match the undefeated Nhill Leopards take on the Warriors in what will be a very skilful match. The Leopards deserve to be favourites with a host attacking options, Brady Newcombe, Adrian Creek, Tom Cook, and Natalie Jones. Plus with Chris Jones in goal the team looks well balanced. Warriors Erin Blackwood, Sam Bone, Alex Wheaton and Mary Croot will need to be at their best for the Warriors to have a chance.

In earlier junior matches the Bombers should get by the Kookaburras. But expect the Kangaroos – Revengers match to be closer than recent results suggest. Even though the Kangaroos are the standout team at the moment, the Revengers have plenty of ability and if they can find a way to score they just may push the Kangaroos.

Round 2 Review

The game of choice in Yanac is Hockey. With no football team and strong community support, Yanac puts three quality hockey teams on the field each week. Two of their teams – Tigers and Warriors – were involved in grand final replays, the score lines being remarkably similar.

The replay of the men’s grand final saw the Warracknabeal Hoops lose a heartbreaking match against the Tigers. The first half saw good fast hockey with the ball moving end to end. Yanac Tigers attacking through their wings while the Hoops employed a more direct style. The Tigers went into the break with a deserved 1 nil lead. In the second half the Hoops came to life with Cameon Bardell the main threat in attack. High class goals from Bardell and Marcus Keam and a scrambled goal put the Hoops up 3-2 with minutes remaining in the match. With the Hoops dominating play and the Tigers uncharacteristically subdued, it looked like the game was over. This all changed with a powerful back stick goal by Kim Croot from the edge of the D that ignited the Tigers, this was quickly followed by another, and all of a sudden the game was over with the Tigers again winning 4 – 3.

Horsham Hurricanes fought hard with ten men to hold off a spirited Kaniva. Kaniva were impressive in their first game and will only improve as the year goes on. Paul Mackereth and Steve Gross was best for the Hurricanes, and Christian Stimson and Damien McKewan were in Kaniva’s best

With welcome rain falling the junior grand final replay began in scrappy fashion. But players soon adjusted and Kendal Meyer of the Kaniva Raiders scored his first through a short corner. Then just before half time a deflection off Yanac Warrior Marny Croot’s stick drew the scores level. But Kendall Meyer scored again for the Raiders in the second half to give them win. Liam Wallis and Tim Eastwood were strong in defence all day for Kaniva. While for the Warriors best included Erin Blackwood, Alex Weaton, and Anna Riechenbach.

In other junior matches, the Kangaroos and Bandits were impressive with strong wins in heavy conditions. Kangaroo Nathan Jorgensen already has eight goals from only two matches. In finer conditions the Leopards and the Revengers played a compelling match. The Revengers controlled the game for the most part. But it was the Leopards Goalie Chris Jones who held firm plus fine goals from Adrian Creek and Brady Newcombe that proved the difference, Leopards winning 3-0. Tom Hewitt and Ethen Schilling were best for the Revengers.

A strong second half in slow conditions and the Warracknabeal women defeated Yanac 2-1. Best for Warracknabeal was Kate Nicholson with 2 goals, while Sarah Coughlan and Joanne Wheaton were Yanac’s best. Nhill Thunderbirds scored 2 early goals against a determined Dimboola defence. Despite having more of the play in the second half, conditions did not allow Dimboola back into the match. Best for Nhill was Pam Cramer, while Michelle Searle played well for Dimboola. With the rain teaming down Kaniva and Horsham Highlanders battled hard. The conditions not allowing for free flowing hockey. Kaniva prevailed with a single goal to Nicol Wilson. Defenders Donna Meyer and Claire Riches best for Kaniva, while Ginny Forrest and Launa Schilling were in Horsham’s best.

Round 1 - Preview

Season 2007 gets underway

Round 1 Wimmera Hockey Association - Nhill

Hundreds of junior and senior hockey players, support staff, and spectators will hit the school grounds of Nhill tomorrow launching the 2007 Wimmera district hockey season. With the drought affecting so many sports grounds throughout the region we are lucky to have the option of playing many of the games on grounds irrigated with bore water in Nhill, Kaniva, and Yanac. The extra travelling will be a significant issue for the Warracknabeal and Horsham teams.

In the juniors, last years rising stars the Nhill Leopards take on the Horsham Black Hawks. Prior to this last year’s premier’s the Kaniva Raiders meet the Kangaroos in what will be another good match. Two of last year’s highfliers the Warriors and the Bombers play each other, both have lost key players to senior ranks. In the other game the Revengers and Bandits will fight for first points. The Kookaburras have the bye.

Anticipation of the new Kaniva men’s team has been somewhat offset by the disappointment of losing the Nhill men. Kaniva was set to play Nhill in the first round, but will now have the bye. We will have to wait until next week to get a look at Kaniva. Dimboola men, with the association’s leading men’s player Tim Jorgenson, have the chance to start the year on a good note. A strong performance against the reining men’s premiers Yanac Tigers will certainly do that. Yanac’s has two new players in forward Matt Kube from the Warriors and Jamie Harding across from Nhill Leopards. Warracknabeal Hoops and Horsham Hurricanes are set to continue their rivalry in what should be an exciting match. The Hoops got past the Hurricanes in last year’s preliminary final and will be keen to maintain their edge. The Hurricanes welcome Tim Nooteboom and Ash Clark up from juniors.

Kaniva women will want to atone for last year’s finals disappointments. Losing on penalty flicks after extra time is not the way a team wants to lose finals, but it was good to watch. The game against last year’s runners up, Nhill Thunderbirds, promises to be a beauty. Reining women’s premiers Warracknabeal begin their quest for yet another premiership with a game against the Horsham Highlanders. Warracknabeal are likely to be the benchmark again, while the Highlanders have a host of new faces: Kate Rhook, Kate Ferrier, and Ellie Morrow, plus several juniors, and much to prove. Yanac women meet Dimboola in what should be a closely fought match. Yanac welcome defender Anne Blackwood up from the Warriors.