Critical contests in Wimmera hockey
Wimmera Hockey Association action returns to Nhill’s Davis Park this weekend with a variety of round-nine games likely to shape final ladders.
In open competition, the feature game will involve a mid-table clash between Dimboola Burras and Kaniva Cobras.
Neither team has been playing its best hockey, but as the competition begins the run towards the finals both need to consolidate their place in the top four if they are to play a significant role.
Warrack Hoops will need to continue their consistent form if they are to defeat dangerous Nhill Rangers on their home ground.
With a win two weeks ago and a solid performance last round, Horsham Hurricanes are showing encouraging improvement at a pivotal point in the season. But they must maintain the positive form when they take on the undefeated Yanac Tigers.
At their best, the Hurricanes have what it takes to mix it with the higherranked teams, but they need to string together a series of good performances.
Yanac Tigers will give them the opportunity to gauge what they need to do over the next two months.
With
Women’s division
all
six women’s teams
still in the running for the four places in the finals, all games in the next few rounds will give them each an opportunity to prove they are good enough.
This week’s focus will be on the clash between Warrack Women and Nhill Thunderbirds because the victor is assured of going into the mid-season break in the top four, possibly as high as third. But the vanquished team will drop off the pace. This game could go either way. The other games appear more clearcut on current ladder positions, but a strong performance by either Horsham Jets against Yanac Women or Kaniva Women against Dimboola Roos could see an unexpected result and a shake-up of the ladder.
Under-16s
A large gap between the top and bottom half of an under-16 ladder suggests many match-ups will be easy to predict, but the win by lower-ranked Kaniva Raiders over Nhill Leopards last round proves the competition is still close on the field.
The lower teams have the opportunity to push their claims for a place in the finals when Dimboola Kangaroos and Kaniva Raiders clash in the opening game.
Warrack Revengers and Nhill Leopards meet in a rematch of the 2017 grand final, and again both teams are comfortably in the top three. But the psychological advantage of a win will probably be worth more than the four points on offer.
Yanac Warriors should still be leading the competition after their game against Horsham Bombers, but if they take their fifth-placed opponents lightly, there could be an upset.
Results – Open: Kaniva Cobras 3 (Goals, R. Wallis, D. Shalders, J. Bedford; best, J. Bedford, D. Shalders, L. Mills) d Nhill Rangers 2 (J. Reichelt, R. Reichelt; N. Donnell, B. Miller, J. Reichelt), Warrack Hoops 3 (J. Williamson 3; S. Schultz, R. Bennett, H. Wagenknecht) d Horsham Hurricanes 1 (T. Roberts; P. Mackereth, T. Roberts, D. Pumpa), Yanac Tigers 5 (K. Croot, Shanaye Alexander, T. Alexander, B. Alexander, J Croot; B. Alexander, T. Alexander, Shaun Alexander) d Dimboola Burras 1 (T. Krelle; B. Tischler, J. Williams, T. Jorgensen). Ladder: Yanac Tigers 30 points, 33 goal difference; Warrack Hoops 12, 12, Kaniva Cobras 18, -10; Dimboola Burras 12, -3; Horsham Hurricanes 10, -11; Nhill Rangers 0, -21. Women: Yanac Women 1 (C. Beattie; E. Alexander, S. Pipkorn, C. Trenery) drew with Dimboola Roos 1 (E. Klinge; E. Klinge, J. Hauselburger, R. Lovett), Kaniva Women 1 (O. Williams; H. White, L. Stimson, O. Williams) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (R. Clark, B. Cuming, K. Clark), Horsham Jets 1 (L. Schilling; L. Schilling, A. Allen, C. Mcfarlane) d Warrack Women 0 (A. Morrow, F. Eilola, T. Englebrecht). Ladder: Yanac Women 28, 21; Dimboola Roos 22, 10; Nhill Thunderbirds 12, -4; Horsham Jets 12, -6; Warrack Women 12, -10; Kaniva Women 10, -11. Under-16s: Warrack Revengers 9 (O. Bennett 6, B. Williamson, F. Eilola; O. Bennett, B. Williamson, T. Engelbrecht) d Horsham Bombers 0 (C. Dodson, E. Downie, K. Dodson), Yanac Warriors 2 (M. Farmers, C. Zanker; M. Farmers, R. Croot, C. Zanker) d Dimboola Kangaroos 0 (N. Krelle, T. Krelle, K. Bamford), Kaniva Raiders 2 (E. Dixon, I. Williams; J. Mitchell, O. Williams, M. Goodwin) d Nhill Leopards 1 (E. Murden; E. Murden, J. Reichelt, K. Clark). Ladder: Yanac Warriors 28, 21; Warrack Revengers 26, 15; Nhill Leopards 22, 28; Kaniva Raiders 8, -15; Horsham Bombers 8, -39; Dimboola Kangaroos 4, -10.