Hockey under lights returns to Nhill
The highlight of round 13 in Wimmera Hockey Association will be the return of hockey under lights at Davis Park, Nhill.
In an opportunity to showcase field hockey in front of a different audience, Nhill and District Sporting Club – Hockey Division will host two games after Wimmera football and netball clashes between Nhill and Dimboola on Saturday evening.
The first game will see Nhill Thunderbirds host Dimboola Roos, with a win to the Roos guaranteeing top place on a women’s division ladder.
While Nhill cannot make the finals, it will look to put on a good show.
In the second game, Dimboola Burras will need a win if they are to maintain their tenuous grip on fourth place on an open ladder.
But Nhill Rangers have shown they are capable of overcoming any team that dares to take them lightly.
The remaining games will be at Yanac on Saturday, with most interest on the Warrack Hoops and Kaniva Cobras open clash at 2pm.
A Cobras win will almost assure them second place and a double chance in finals, while a Hoops win will elevate them into second place.
Horsham Hurricanes are fast running out of opportunities to climb back into finals contention. But their game against undefeated Yanac Tigers is unlikely to give them a positive result. It will come down to results of their last two games to decide their fate.
The feature clash in the women’s division will be between improving Yanac Women and Horsham Jets, where a win for the latter team will assure them of a top-two finish.
A Yanac win will boost their confidence for the finals.
Kaniva Women will look to refine their play as they move towards their first finals appearance since 2006, and although Warrack Women have shown significant improvement, Kaniva should come away with the points.
Although the teams to contest under 16 finals have already been confirmed, the finishing order is yet to be locked into place.
Open
In open competition on Friday evening scores were tied at one-all at the break after Tim Davey of Horsham Hurricanes opened the scoring, followed two minutes later by Warrack Hoops’ Ethan Schilling.
Hoops took the lead early after the break through Jordan Williamson and although the Hurricanes enjoyed their share of the play, they were unable to transfer this to the scoreboard.
Late in game Hoops maintained pressure and scored three goals to register a four-goal win. Both William- son and Schilling finished with two goals each and Marcus Williamson scored the fifth. Schilling, Cameron Bardell, Jack Dean and Royce Bennett were best players for Hoops.
Will Gulline, Paul Mackereth, Jarryd Bannan and goal-keeper Joel Wilkosz played well for Hurricanes.
In damp conditions under lights on Saturday night, Nhill Rangers put up a good showing against Kaniva Cobras, drawing level at one-all soon after the half time break.
Clint Beattie scored Kaniva’s first goal early in the game. Tyson Mitchell, a Kaniva regular who was seconded to bolster the Nhill player numbers, scored Nhill’s goal two minutes into the second half. The Cobras maintained pressure longer than their opponents and scored three more goals, through Lachie Mills, Adam Feder and Philip Eastman.
Forward Dave Cole, Duncan Shalders and Mills were best players for Cobras, and ever-reliable fullback Mont Miller, Tom Mcpeake and Tyson Mitchell were Rangers’ best.
In 70 minutes of intense hockey, Dimboola Burras matched everything a young Yanac Tigers could throw at them and inflicted the Tigers second draw for the season.
Caleb Halsall and Lachlan Schultz scored the two goals for Burras and Todd and Shaun Alexander were the scorers for Tigers. Brett Tischler and Jack Lovett played well for Dimboola and Bradley and Todd Alexander stood out for the Tigers.
Women
In the opening women’s game of the round, Horsham Jets had to work harder than the final score line of 4-1 suggested to overcome Warrack Women.
Two goals each to Ellie Morrow and Sophie Robinson made up the Jets’ four goals. Breanna Langman scored the only goal for Warrack Women.
Morrow, Launa Schilling and Robinson were best for the Jets and Kelly Krahe and sisters Tiffany and Jasmine Bull were standouts for Warrack.
On Saturday afternoon Nhill Thunderbirds and Kaniva Women played out an even game, with both teams creating opportunities, but solid defences prevented any scoring.
Fullback Jeanette Mcleod was the Thunderbird’s best, along with Emily Koop and Kellie Farquharson.
Defenders Jemima Bothe, Lisa Stimson, Rachel Clark and Nyree Hutchins were best for Kaniva.
The draw has promoted Kaniva above Yanac into third place on the ladder and given the Thunderbirds breathing room ahead of Warrack Women in the battle for the lower two places on the ladder.