Hockey heating up
This weekend will mark the point in the season when all opponents have played each other once, giving an early indication of where each team stands.
Two of the most significant games of round five will be on Friday night at Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre, when teams from Dimboola and Nhill meet in the women’s and open divisions.
In the women’s competition both Dimboola Roos and Nhill Thunderbirds will be keen to return to the winners list after suffering defeats at the weekend, a potential rise to second on the ladder providing motivation for both teams.
In open division the recent good form of Nhill Rangers came to the end at the hands of the undefeated Yanac Tigers at the weekend, although with the current form the Tigers are in, it is no disgrace to finish two goals behind them. The Rangers remain a threat to the rest of the competition.
In contrast, Dimboola Burras have not been getting the results their line up would suggest they are capable of, and on their home ground under lights will be an ideal opportunity to demonstrate what they are able to deliver.
The most interest in the under-16 games will be in the opening game
on Saturday morning when Warrack Revengers play Horsham Bombers, followed by Dimboola Kangaroos playing Nhill Leopards and competition leader Yanac Warriors taking on Kaniva Raiders.
Kaniva Women’s recent impressive form will be tested when they take on the undefeated Yanac, where a win would see them draw level on points with the ladder leaders, but even a narrow loss could see them maintain second place.
The third women’s division game will be between Horsham Jets, fresh off their first win for the season last weekend, and Warrack Women who are still looking for their first win for 2019.
When Yanac Tigers take on the Kaniva Cobras it will be first against sixth on the ladder, but it will be a much closer game on the field.
The Tigers have continued their perpetual good form to lead the competition, but the Cobras have been very close in many of their games this year without registering a win, so if the Tigers drop their guard just a little, the Cobras have the players, and style of play on the turf, to seriously challenge the ladder leaders.
The final game of the round will see Horsham Hurricanes take on Warrack Hoops.
Despite sitting in second place on the ladder, the Hoops have rarely been dominant for any extended periods, while the Hurricanes have shown considerable improvement over their below-par performances in recent seasons.
The Hoops play the artificial surface well, but will still need to focus on the basics to finish with the points.
Results — Open: Warrack Hoops 1 (goal, M. Williamson; best, K. Mills, R. Bennett, H. Wagenknecht) d Kaniva Cobras 0 (J. Bedford, L. Mills, A. Wallis, D. Cole); Yanac Tigers 2 (T. Alexander, C. Zanker; S. Farmers, J. Cramer, T. Alexander) d Nhill Rangers 0 (Mo. Miller, B. Miller, Mu. Miller); Dimboola Burras 0 (J. Williams, T. Dent, T. Jorgensen) drew Horsham Hurricanes 0 (T. Davey, S. Hoffman, C. Dodson, T. Roberts). Women: Kaniva Women 3 (L. Stimson 2, H. White; L. Stimson, N. Hutchins, K. White) d Warrack Women 0 (K. Krahe, R. Mcnamara, M. Bentley); Yanac Women 8 (S. Hedt 2, C. Beattie 2, M. Farmers 2, E. Alexander, A. Farmers; E. Alexander, N. Harding, C. Beattie) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (K. Farquharson, B. Cuming, E. Wallace); Horsham Jets 2 (L. Schilling, B. Brooks; L. Schilling, C. Lawson, A. Allen) d Dimboola Roos 1 (P. Williams; J. Hauselberger, C. Hadzig, E. Woods).