Competitive start in season-opener
The first round of the Wimmera Hockey Association season at the weekend yielded some predictable results, but also showed some form that suggests it will be a competitive season.
The rematch of last year’s open division grand final will headline round two at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal on Saturday.
Yanac Tigers started its premiership defence at the weekend with a solid win, but some mystery still surrounds Warrack Hoops as it had the bye in the first round.
Many familiar faces will line up on both sides, but it will be how well the mix of new players gel with the veterans that could decide the match.
Regardless, the two teams have dominated the competition and have a strong rivalry that goes back several decades, and always put on a skilful and entertaining spectacle.
Having not lost a game since semifinals in 2019, it is hard to tip against the Tigers, but if any team can seriously challenge them, it will be the Hoops.
The other open match will see Horsham Hurricanes out to build on its first-round win when it meets Kaniva Cobras, who will be looking to bounce back after having to face the reigning premiers in the first round.
Nhill Rangers has the bye. Having not fielded a team in the women’s competition for several seasons, Dimboola Roos entered round one as an unknown and proved it was not just in to make up the numbers, with a comfortable win on its home turf on Friday evening.
The Roos challenge now is to back this up when they take on Nhill Thunderbirds, who are coming off a loss to Horsham Jets.
The Roos’ form on grass is still yet to be seen, and the ’Birds were quite competitive, so this should be another
close game. Warrack did not enjoy a good start to its season, going down to the Roos, and will not find round two any easier when it faces reigning premiers Yanac, who had a win on Saturday.
Kaniva lost narrowly to Yanac in round one, but will still be a challenge to the Jets, who are coming off a firstup win, in another match that will begin to set the 2024 pecking order.
In under-16 competition, the closest match will be between Horsham Bombers and Kaniva Raiders, which could go either way, but when Yanac
Warriors take on the Warrack Revengers and Nhill Leopards play the Dimboola Kangaroos, early form suggests that both first-named teams should get the points.
Round one results
Open: Horsham Hurricanes 3 (Goals, J. Harris 2, J. Horsfall; Best, J. Harris, P. Mackereth, M.spano) d Nhill Rangers 0 (J. Knoll, S. Bone, K. Rowe). Yanac Tigers 5 (T. Alexander 3, R. Croot, S. Alexander; R. Croot, B. Alexander, S. Alexander) d Kaniva Cobras 0 (L. Mills, T. Ady, N. Krelle). Women: Dimboola Roos 8 (L. Graham
3, V. Elliott 3, C. Elliott, J. Hauselberger; J. Hauselberger, L. Graham, V. Elliott) d Warrack Women 1 (B. Casey; B. Casey, C. Bennett, M. Bentley). Horsham Jets 4 (M. Spano 2, A. Heal, K. Krahe; H. Werner, M. Spano, L. Schilling, K. Krahe) d Nhill Thunderbirds 1 (R. Clark; H. Cannell, N. Kuhnell, K. Clark, J. Rowe). Yanac Women 1 (E. Alexander; A. Farmers, M. Mackley, E. Alexander) d Kaniva Women 0 (L. Stimson, I. Williams, Z. Smith). Under-16: Warrack Revengers 4 (S. Williamson 3, E. Williamson; E. Williamson, M. Bentley, S. Williamson) d Dimboola Kangaroos 0 (V. Ward, L. Hauselberger, C. Elliott). Nhill Leopards 4 (D. Clark 3, O. Bone; D. Clark, O. Bone, T. Shue Bee) d Horsham Bombers 0 (J. Schwarz, J. Di Pretro, H Mackereth). Yanac Warriors 3 (Archie Zanker 2, S Pedie; Archie Zanker, Asher Zanker, S Pedie) drew with Kaniva Raiders 3 (C. White 2, R. Williams; C. White, Z. Krelle, R. Williams).
Under-12 development program:
Warrack Avengers 0 v Dimboola Kookaburras 3 (R. Hadzig 2, R. Wallace). Yanac Lowan Stars 5 (M. Dart, S. Farmers, A. Pedie, S. Dickinson, A. Cramer) v Kaniva Rampagers 0. Horsham Black Hawks 2 (L. Rose 2) v Nhill Bandits 2 (B. Clark 2).