Country championships success
Wimmera Hockey Association’s women’s representative team topped off a successful weekend with a one-goal win over Portland to secure the B2 division premiership at Hockey Victoria Senior Country Championships in Geelong.
Despite seven members of the squad of 16 playing in their first senior championships, the mix of youth and experience made for a well-balanced team, coached by the experienced Ian Barnett and managed by Helen Cannell.
Wimmera had the distinction of playing the opening game of the tournament on Saturday, against Warrnambool.
The highlight of the match was a solo run by Claire Barnett, who scored on the rebound after her initial shot was blocked.
Goalkeeper Isabella Guilline blocked all Warrnambool scoring attempts with sharp reflex moves, ensuring a 1-0 win to the Wimmera.
The next game was a tough one against arch rival North Central, ending in a narrow one-goal loss.
Wimmera players didn’t give up after falling behind and a series of strong attacking moves put pressure back on the North Central defenders,
led by Ameilia Rintoule at centre half back.
The last pool game on Sunday morning was against Latrobe Valley and Wimmera started strongly, earning plenty of attack in the first half, and a number of penalty corners.
Strong Latrobe defenders and skillful goalkeeping saw the game end in a scoreless draw, setting Wimmera up for a semi final against the top team from Pool A, West Gippsland.
Once again the Wimmera defence was tested, but prevented any scoring even after having to defend seven penalty corners in a row.
Isabella Gulline continued to impress in goals and Sharon Williams was solid at full back.
The resolute Wimmera defence continued in the second half, including a last line save by half back Heidi White to keep scores level.
With two minutes remaining, West Gippsland earned a penalty corner, but unyielding Wimmera defence kept the game alive. Within seconds the ball was rushed into attack by the Wimmera forwards, and some skillful work by Barnett got the ball into the circle and earned a penalty corner.
The final siren sounded, giving the Wimmera one last chance to snatch the game with the penalty corner still to be played. Tianna Hendy pushed the ball out to Sigourney Williams who trapped cleanly and launched a solid shot that made its way through a pack of defenders, deflected off a stick and into the goal, giving Wimmera the win and a berth in Monday’s grand final against Portland.
In a tight encounter it was Hendy who opened the scoring to put the Wimmera in the first half.
Unfortunately the second half was cut short following an injury to a Wimmera player which stopped play, and when she walked from the field there was only a minute remaining on the clock, at which point Portland conceded the game, giving the Wimmera the B2 division premiership.
Wimmera competition
Domestic competition resumes on Saturday with every team having played each other once.
In open division it is hard to see Yanac Tigers, who have not lost a game since July 2016, being defeated any time soon. Behind them are five teams separated by only three games.
At the weekend Horsham Hurricanes will play Kaniva Cobras, Nhill Rangers take on Warracknabeal Hoops and the Tigers face Dimboola Burras.
Women’s division will see matches between top sides Yanac and Dimboola Roos. In the round’s other games, Horsham Jets play Kaniva and Nhill Thunderbirds face off with Warracknabeal.