Hoops and Cobras battle for spot
Warrack Hoops and Kaniva Cobras will fight it out for outright second place on an open division ladder this week when round six of Wimmera Hockey Association winter competition is hosted at Yanac Recreation Reserve.
These two teams are equal on points, so a victory will keep one in touch with the leaders while the other will fall back to middle of the field.
A draw will see the relative ladder positions remain unchanged.
The clash between Horsham Hurricanes and Dimboola Burras could be a close game as the higher-ranked Burras will be missing their leading goal-scorer Lachlan Schulz, who has scored six goals in five games.
Hurricanes’ Paul Mackereth has found some impressive form over recent rounds controlling the midfield.
Form to this point in the season suggests the undefeated Yanac Tigers should not have much trouble accounting for Nhill Rangers.
Interest in the women’s competition will centre on the game between Warrack and Kaniva.
Warrack has the opportunity to consolidate its spot in the top four while Kaniva can leapfrog it into fourth place.
Considering their current ladder positions, second-placed Dimboola Roos should take the points over last placed Horsham Jets, but after their first win for the season last week, the Jets will be full of confidence and when playing at their best will push any opponent.
Yanac should maintain its lead on the ladder after it takes on Nhill Thunderbirds, but with the incentive of consolidating a position in the top three, the Thunderbirds could push the ladder leaders.
The opening game of the round in under-16 competition will see a top-of-the-table clash between Nhill Leopards and Yanac Warriors. Both teams played out a draw when they met in round two and this has been the only game the Leopards have not earned full points. The Warriors only other blemish was a draw with Revengers last week.
This game gives one of these teams a chance to establish an advantage over an opponent they are likely to meet in finals.
Both Dimboola Kangaroos and Horsham Bombers will look for a win when they meet each other to remain in touch with the leading pack of teams. A victory to Warrack Revengers will keep them within reach of the leaders when they take on Kaniva Raiders.
In the under-12 development program, Nhill Bandits will take on Yanac Lowan Stars, Horsham Black Hawks will take on Dimboola Kookaburras and Kaniva Rampagers will clash with Warrack Avengers.
Round-five results Open: Kaniva Cobras 2 (C. Beattie 2; best, A. Wallis, C. Beattie, D. Shalders, L. Mills) d Horsham Hurricanes 1 (P. Mackereth; best, P. Mackereth, J. Bannan, S. Hallett, S. Trigg), Yanac Tigers 0 (B. Alexander, S. Farmers, Shaun Alexander) drew with Warrack Hoops 0 (S. Schultz, M. Williamson, C. Eilola), Dimboola Burras 4 (L, Schultz 3, C. Halsall; best, L. Schultz, T. Dent, C. Halsall) d Nhill Rangers 2 (J. Reichelt, A. Monteath; best, D. Reichelt, J. Reichelt, L. Marra, B. Miller). Women: Horsham Jets 5 (S. Robinson 2, E. Morrow 2, C. Mcfarlane; best, S. Robinson, E. Morrow, R. Creek) d Kaniva Women 0 (S. Williams, O. Williams, B. Huntington), Dimboola Roos 1 (R. Lovett; best, E. Klinge, R. Lovett, J. Hauselberger) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (J. Mcleod, G. Mcleod, L. Hawker), Yanac Women 6 (S. Alexander 2, L. Bone 2, E. Alexander, C. Beattie; best, L. Bone, M. Farmers, S. Alexander) d Warrack Women 0 (K. Krahe, J. Bull, A. Genn). Under 16: Nhill Leopards 3 (T. Mcbride 2, E. Murden; best, J. Reichelt, K. Clark, E. Murden) d Dimboola Kangaroos 0 (T. Krelle, R. Simpson, C. Baker), Yanac Warriors 2 (M. Farmers, R. Croot; best, M. Farmers, M. Godwin, J. Croot, R. Croot) drew with Warrack Revengers 2 (O. Bennett, F. Eilola; best, O. Bennett, S. Goodwin, T. Engelbrecht, F. Eilola), Horsham Bombers (5) defeated Kaniva Raiders (0) by forfeit. Under 12 development program: Nhill Bandits 6 (J. Clark, 2, V. Maloney 2, T. Mcbride 2; encouragement award, L. Clark) d Dimboola Kookaburras 1 (L Krelle; encouragement award, J. Ward), Horsham Black Hawks 4 (M. Schultz 2, J. Schwarz, A. Koch) defeated Kaniva Rampagers 0, Warrack Avengers v Yanac Lowan Stars, not played.