Past High finds best form to account for Newtown
HOCKEY:
Past High has bounced back in the best possible fashion in women’s A1 hockey.
After being edged out by a goal against Red Lion in the opening round, Past High responded with a 6-0 defeat of Newtown at Clyde Park.
“It was a big improvement on the week before,” coach Bernie Fox said.
“We came out of that match (against Red Lion) with an improved attitude and some good performances.
“The girls weren’t overly happy with that game. It’s not that they didn’t play well, but they felt they were out-enthused by Red Lion.
“They really came into this game with a lot more enthusiasm and put a bit more effort in.”
Past High welcomed back a key face for the encounter, with Erin McCurley-Ault returning.
“She is a big part of our group,” Fox said.
“When you take someone like her out of the team, it changes three lines, which was a bit disruptive in round one.”
Fox said that Past High was on high alert against a dangerous Newtown side following their first-up draw with Rangeville.
He praised the defensive efforts of the side to keep a clean sheet, as well as the young core of Past High that has stepped up from J1 grade.
“We knew that we had to be on our game and we certainly weren’t taking it easy,” he said.
“We’ve got a great goalkeeper and our defence is fairly solid.
“We also had six girls play up from our J1 side.
“They don’t have any problems stepping up into A-grade. They bring a lot of youth and enthusiasm.”
A hat-trick to Holly Gilbar was the highlight, with Erin Gilbar, Monique Thomas and Savannah Trapp also getting on the scoresheet.
Red Lion made it two wins from as many games with a 3-1 defeat of Newtown.
Anne Cunliffe, Emma Henare and Tess Henare were able to put the ball in the back of the net to keep them on top of the A1 women’s ladder.
STRIKERS END RUN OF PINK BATTS
Stafford’s Strikers have ended the unbeaten run of GCC Pink Batts, moving to a share of top spot in the process.
The Strikers were at their clinical best, securing a 7-3 victory.
A dynamic first quarter, including an Elijah Matthewson hat-trick, saw the Strikers take a 4-0 lead into the first change.
Matthewson added another two in the second term, along with a Caleb Lindsay goal to have them in front 7-0 at halftime.
The Pink Batts were able to get on the scoresheet in the second half, but it was all in vain.
The night’s other fixture saw the QPS Scorers pick up their first win of the Iron Jack Challenge season, taking down the HSR Hot Shots 5-1.
Tom Campbell and Karl Harland produce goals to get the Scorers in front 2-0 at the halftime break.
A Jack Hawthorne goal and conversion early in the third quarter made the task tough for the Hot Shots to come back.
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au
STANDINGS
A1 WOMEN: Red Lion (2w-0l), Past High (1-1), Rangeville (0-0-1d), Newtown (0-1-1), Norths (0-1)
IRON JACK CHALLENGE: Pink Batts (3-1), Strikers (3-1), Hot Shots (1-3), Scorers (1-3)