Fourth spot swinging
With only two rounds remaining in Wimmera Hockey Association there is still considerable interest in senior divisions, with fourth place in open and women’s competitions yet to be decided.
This week in open division, the game between second-placed Warrack Hoops and sixth-placed Nhill Rangers could be much closer on the pitch than current ladder positions suggest.
The Hoops have been in far from their best form over recent weeks and will be looking to fix this at Dimboola on Friday evening.
But after losing their first 10 games this season, Nhill Rangers have recorded one draw and a win from their most recent three games and are full of confidence.
The Hoops cannot fall from second place but need to rediscover their winning game if they are to be a threat in the finals.
A double header under lights on Saturday evening begins with Dimboola Burras playing to stay in the top four when they take on Kaniva Cobras.
Equal on points with Horsham Hurricanes, the Burras must win to assure they stay there. The Cobras will be looking to put their recent loss to Nhill Rangers behind them and work towards defeating the opponent they are most likely to meet in the finals. In the last game of the round, Horsham Hurricanes take on undefeated Yanac Tigers in an attempt to stay in the race for the finals.
The Hurricanes have nothing to lose and should take the game right up to the reigning premiers.
It is difficult to justify suggesting the Tigers will not continue their winning run, but if any team has the incentive to cause an upset it is the Hurricanes.
Women
All three games in the women’s division could have a significant influence on the final composition of the top four.
The opening game on Friday evening could confirm fourth place if Warracknabeal can defeat Nhill Thunderbirds. Such a result would provide Warracknabeal with an unreachable gap over fifth-placed Kaniva. Even a draw would be enough to settle the top four.
A win to the Thunderbirds will keep the race for fourth place alive into the final round of the season.
Kaniva Women have the opportunity to prove they are worthy of a place in the top four when they take on Dimboola Roos.
A win by Kaniva, combined with a loss by Warracknabeal, would place them only two points behind and still in with a chance of a place in the semi-finals. Yanac takes on resurgent Horsham Jets and although the latter team cannot rise any higher than third place, a loss by Yanac could result in it losing top place on the ladder.
It would also give the Jets a huge confidence boost leading into the finals.
Under-16
Most interest in under-16 competition will focus on a game between Warrack Revengers and Nhill Leopards.
Although the Revengers will finish in the top two, they must keep winning if they are to remain on top.
A win by Leopards will keep their faint hopes of a top-two finish alive, but they will also have to rely on Yanac Warriors losing their two remaining games and form suggests this is unlikely.
A win by Yanac Warriors over Horsham Bombers will assure them a top-two finish, but they should not take this for granted. The Bombers have been playing much better than their ladder position suggests and they could easily cause an upset.
The result of a game between Kaniva Raiders and Dimboola Kangaroos will not change the ladder position of either team. But form going into the finals for the Raiders and pride for the Kangaroos should be enough to ensure an exciting game.
Results – Open: Horsham Hurricanes 2 (T. Roberts, B. Woodhart; P. Mackereth, T. Davey, W. Gulline) d Warrack Hoops 1 (O. Bennett; C. Bardell, J. Dean, S. Schultz), Yanac Tigers 3 (J. Harding, T. Alexander, B Alexander; T. Alexander, B. Alexander, K. Croot) d Dimboola Burras 0 (T. Dent, B. Tischler, J. Tischler), Nhill Rangers 2 (S. Schwarz, C. Rowe; B. Miller, J. Reichelt, L. Marra) d Kaniva Cobras 0 (L. Mills, C. Beattie, D. Shalders). Women: Horsham Jets 6 (E. Morrow 3, L. Shilling 2, R. Creek; E. Morrow, C. Mcfarlane, S. Robinson) d Warrack Women 1 (D. Rigby; D. Rigby, K. Krahe, T. Bull), Kaniva Women 2 (J. Mitchell, O Williams; O. Williams, L. Stimson, J. Mitchell, I. Williams) d Nhill Thunderbirds 1 (L. Hawker; K. Farquharson, E. Koop, B. Cuming, L. Hawker), Dimboola Roos 1 (E. Klinge; E. Klinge, B. Mcmaster, R. Lovett) d Yanac Women 0 (E. Alexander, C. Smith, S. Pipkorn). Under-16s: Nhill Leopards 2 (J. Reichelt, I. Deckert; J. Reichelt, K. Clark, T. Mcbride) d Kaniva Raiders 0 (O. Williams, H. White, J. Mitchell), Yanac Warriors 2 (A. Farmers, C. Zanker; R. Croot, A. Farmers, J. Croot) d Dimboola Kangaroos 0 (T. Krelle, N. Krelle, K. Bamford), Warrack Revengers 3 (O. Bennett 2, F. Eilola; O. Bennett, B. Williamson, T. Engelbrecht) d Horsham Bombers 0 (C. Dodson, B. Woodhart, L. Simmons).