Hockey heads to Warracknabeal
Warracknabeal will host round-six Wimmera Hockey Association games at Anzac Park on Saturday.
Top teams in under-16 and women’s divisions clash, providing an opportunity for second-placed teams to mount serious challenges.
In under-16s, Warrack Revengers will need more than a home ground advantage to stop Nhill Leopards’ winning streak.
When playing their best, Dimboola Kangaroos could be a serious contender, but inconsistent form will make their game against Horsham Bombers important to consolidate their place near the top of the ladder.
A good win by Yanac Warriors against Kaniva Raiders could see these teams swap ladder positions and elevate the Warriors into the top four.
In the women’s competition, a topof-the-ladder clash will be between Dimboola Roos and Horsham Jets.
Although a win will fall short of allowing the Jets to overtake the Roos, they will firm up a place in the top two.
A battle at the other end of the ladder gives Warrack Women a chance to score their first win for the season when they face Nhill Thunderbirds.
The prize for the winner of the women’s game between Yanac and Kaniva could be second place on the ladder if Jets cannot overcome the Roos. More significantly, the Kaniva team will be determined to show it can maintain its early season success.
In open competition most interest will be in a Dimboola Burras and Horsham Hurricanes game where the winner will finish the round in the top four and the vanquished will be relegated to fifth. Both of these teams have had one win in the first five rounds. Form suggests Yanac Tigers and Warrack Hoops should be able to overcome Kaniva Cobras and Nhill Rangers respectively.
After five rounds all opponents have played each other, which gives a good indication of where each team sits within the competition.
Reigning premiers have had the perfect start to their title defences as they all remain undefeated. Last week, all three games in open competition produced clear-cut results, with the top three teams all registering comfortable victories.
Dimboola Burras were no match for well-drilled Warrack, Kaniva Cobras controlled their encounter with Horsham Hurricanes after a goal less than five minutes into their game and a goal from a converted short corner four minutes into the game by the Yanac Tigers in their game sounded an ominous warning to bottom-placed Nhill Rangers.
In women’s competition, Horsham Jets overcame a determined Kaniva Women, Warrack Women tried hard to fend off Dimboola Roos who fell to relentless pressure from the ladder leaders and Nhill Thunderbirds and Yanac Women scored a two-all draw.
In under-16s, Nhill Leopards returned another comfortable win, this time over Yanac Warriors, with Blake Miller scoring five of 10 goals.
Warrack Revengers moved into second place on the ladder with a onegoal win over Dimboola Kangaroos.
Scorers were also kept busy during a Kaniva Raiders and Horsham Bombers game, with Raiders ultimately winning 6-3.
Results Open: Kaniva Cobras 4 (goals, A. Wallis, C. Beattie, L. Shalders, J. Mitchell; best, D. Shalders, L. Mills, L. Shalders, D. Cole) d Horsham Hurricanes 1 (goal, W. Gulline; best, T. Davey, J. Bannan, B. Tischler, W. Gulline); Yanac Tigers 6 (J. Harding 2, S. Alexander 2, T. Alexander, S. Croot; best, T. Alexander, J. Honeyman, B. Alexander) d Nhill Rangers 0 (Mont Miller, B. Miller, Murray Miller); Warrack Hoops 4 (M. Williamson 2, R. Bennett 2; best, M. Williamson, H. Wagenknecht, T. Krahe) d Dimboola Burras 0 (C. Halsall, T. Dent, D. Danisch). Women: Horsham Jets 3 (S. Robinson 2, A. Allen; S. Robinson, L. Schilling, A. Allen) d Kaniva Women 0 (R. Clark, L. Stimson, J. Bothe); Dimboola Roos 5 (A. King 2, E. Woods, E. Klinge, K Smithyman; best, J. Klinge, H. Dichiera, B. Mcmaster) d Warrack Women 0 (T. Bull, O. Elson, M. Watts); Yanac Women 2 (E. Alexander 2; best, M. Farmers, K. Miller, H. Honeyman, S. Hedt) drew with Nhill Thunderbirds 2 (E. Koop, E. Murden; best, E. Murden, L. Hawker, S. Crowhurst, E. Koop). Under-16: Warrack Revengers 1 (S. Schultz; best, L. Klemm, O. Bennett, S. Schultz) d Dimboola Kangaroos 0 (D. Danisch, N. Krelle, R. Albrecht); Kaniva Raiders 6 (L. Shalders 2, E. Dixon, C. White, N. White, T. Mitchell; best, L. Shalders, T. Mitchell, M. Goodwin, N. White) d Horsham Bombers 3 (S. Hallett, J. Schwarz, A. Watt; best, R. Roberts, K. Guest, S. Hallett); Nhill Leopards 8 (B. Miller 5, J. Reichelt, E. Koop, E. Murden; best, B. Miller, E. Koop, J. Reichelt, E. Murden) d Yanac Warriors 2 (J. Croot 2; S. Pipkorn, M. Farmers, R. Croot, H. Pedie).