Tridents extend lead with win over Alpiners

THE Northern Tridents extended their lead at the top of the Premier Hockey League with a commanding 41 win over the Southern Alpiners yesterday.

The match opened with endto end hockey and both teams went close to scoring on several occasions.

The Alpiners struck first through Olivia Merry, with a deft touch off a crash ball into the circle that made its way past goalkeeper Brooke Roberts.

The Tridents bounced back when Kate Ivory smashed in a rebound. And moments before the halftime break, Northern hit the lead through a Kirsten Pearce goal.

Northern cemented its hold on the match early in the second half when Pearce nabbed a second.

The Alpiners suffered a setback midway through the fourth quarter when Rose Tynan jumped on a turnover deep in the Alpiners’ half and her reverse stick shot deflected into the goal past the Alpiners’ goalkeeper.

The Central Falcons lost in a penalty shootout for the second time in two days following a tight tussle with the Mavericks.

The Mavericks held their nerve to secure the penalty shootout 32.

The Mavericks broke the contest open early in the second half when the Falcons failed to clear a penalty corner and Alia Jaques popped the ball into the goal.

Central set up a grandstand finish when Megan Hull swept a beautiful pass into the circle which Hope Ralph, jumping in front of the Mavericks’ defence, deflected high into the net.

The Mavericks entered the shootout confident knowing that Grace O’Hanlon was between the posts for them. After going through the bestofthree shootout tied at two goals apiece, Liz Thompson converted her second shootout to seal the win 32.