Teams defend last season’s titles
Wimmera Hockey Association games will be shared between Yanac and Kaniva this weekend, with the clash between 2016 under-16 grand finalists Nhill Leopards and Kaniva Raiders a feature game at Kaniva.
Improving Kaniva Women and Nhill Thunderbirds should also put on a good display.
At Yanac, and in another grand final re-match, Dimboola Women return to the scene of its 2016 premiership to take on the team it defeated, Yanac Women.
The final game, between Yanac Tigers and Dimboola Burras, will also be a top clash.
In round one at Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre reigning premiers in open, women’s and under-16 competitions started title defences with a win.
On Friday, Dimboola Roos and Horsham Jets fought out a tight women’s match befitting the opening game of the season. Both teams created many attacking moves with well co-ordinated teamwork and skills, and it was Meagan Pohlner who scored the first goal for Dimboola Roos 10 minutes into the game.
This was matched by 2016 leading goal scorer Ellie Morrow for the Jets, who tied scores at half time. In a tight second half the deadlock was broken when Kelly Smithyman found the goals for Roos with 10 minutes remaining.
In the second game, Horsham Hurricanes welcomed back Joel Wilkosz after an absence of a couple of seasons. He has added spark to the backline.
Tim Jorgensen opened the scoring for Burras and in a hectic last 10 minutes of the first half, Zack Slatercollard extended the lead with a field goal.
Will Gulline converted a penalty stroke a minute and a half later to get Hurricanes on the board. Slatercollard scored his second goal just minutes before the half-time break to give Burras a 3-1 buffer.
The second half was highlighted by solid defence at both ends, which left the final result the same as it was at half time.
Foggy conditions greeted Dimboola Kangaroos and Horsham Bombers when they opened the under-16 competition on Saturday.
Kangaroos continued their late 2016 form with Daniel Danisch and Bradley Walker finding the goals twice to build a winning score. But the Bombers were not disgraced by this result, with Josh Schwarz the lone scorer.
Nhill Leopards started their quest for back-to-back under-16 titles with a win over Warrack Revengers.
In a very close game, both teams created scoring opportunities, but it was the Leopards that were able to breech its opponents’ defence. Best player Blake Miller for the Leopards, was also the only goal-scorer.
Kaniva Raiders beat Yanac Warriors by two goals in the other under-16 game. Luke Shalders scored both goals for Raiders, while team-mate Sigourney Williams was best for the winning team and Mikayla Farmers the standout player for the Warriors.
In women’s competition, undermanned Nhill Thunderbirds outlasted rebuilding Warrack Women and scored a three-goal win. The scoring was shared between Leah Hawker, Kellie Farquharson and Ellie Murden, with Ashlee Baker best player.
Alana Morrow was best for Warrack Women.
An enthralling tussle concluded women’s games with Yanac and Kaniva women contesting a scoreless draw.
The final two open division games entertained the crowd under lights to finish the action.
Warrack Hoops took on struggling Nhill Rangers and although the fi- nal result was predictable, Rangers pushed their opponents and made them work for all of their four goals.
Hoops took a one-goal lead into the half time break and it was their extra options off the interchange bench that allowed them to maintain the pressure.
Hoops scored three more times in the second half, including a penalty stroke converted by best-on-ground Royce Bennett. Brad Mckenzie with two and Cameron Bardell were the other goal-scorers.
Rangers’ goalkeeper Murray Miller was best for his team.
Two teams destined to feature towards the end of the season, Yanac Tigers and Kaniva Cobras, put on an entertaining display of hard and fast hockey, Tigers taking the points with a one-goal win.
In a quick start after the half-time break, Tigers captain Todd Alexander scored and this proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Alexander brothers Todd, Bradley and Shaun were best players for Tigers and Josh Bedford, Lachlan Clark and Duncan Shalders were standout players for the Cobras.
In under-12 competition, all teams boasted near full team lists and it was Kaniva Rampagers, Nhill Bandits and Horsham Blackhawks that earned victories in the first round.