Countdown on for finals contenders
As the end of the season approaches, time is running out for a number of teams to stake their claim for the finals in Wimmera Hockey Association.
With five rounds remaining before the finals, teams will now meet each opponent once more, and some teams’ chances of playing finals hinge on results at Dimboola on Friday and Saturday.
In Open competition, a game on Friday is a must-win for Horsham Hurricanes and Kaniva Cobras.
Both sit outside the top four, with Horsham needing the points to remain in the hunt for fourth place and Kaniva keen to hold that place.
Form suggests these teams have been playing well but are unable to make an impact on the scoreboard. With so much on the line this should be a cracking game.
Nhill Rangers gave undefeated Yanac Tigers a scare at the weekend before going down by a goal scored in the last five minutes of the game.
If they can take that sort of form into their game against Warrack Hoops they can cause an upset.
The Hoops need to keep winning if they are to fend off a challenge for second place on the ladder from inform Dimboola Burras.
The two teams showing
the best recent form are Yanac Tigers and Dimboola Burras and they clash under lights on Saturday in what will be a great match on the Burras’ home turf.
The Tigers are undefeated but have endured a close games and Dimboola Burras can play top hockey when they assemble their best combination.
In the Women’s division, the key game will be on Friday evening with fourth-placed Kaniva playing fifthplaced Horsham.
Although a win for the latter team would draw them equal on points with Kaniva, it would take a big win for them to overcome a deficit in goal difference to be able to move up a place. A narrow win will keep them in the race for another week.
Victory for Kaniva will give it breathing space in fourth spot because it would move the team eight points, or two wins, ahead of the Jets.
The game that promises to be the best exhibition of hockey will involve the top two teams in what is sure to be a preview of a semi final, if not grand final.
Warrack will attempt to improve on its promising form from last week when it takes on Nhill Thunderbirds, who also need a couple more wins to confirm a finals place.
The most interest in under-16s will be in games between Nhill Leopards and Warrack Revengers, and Horsham Bombers and Kaniva Raiders.
A game between top and bottom will see Yanac Warriors and Dimboola Kangaroos meet, and although ladder positions suggest this could be one-sided, the Kangaroos on their home ground should not be underestimated.
Results – Open: Dimboola Burras 2 (Goals, L. Schultz, N. Krelle; best, C. Baldock, D. Danisch, T. Dent) d Horsham Hurricanes 1 (W. Gulline; S. Hoffman, J. Kube, C. Dodson); Yanac Tigers 1 (J. Harding; N. Alexander, S. Farmers, T. Alexander) d Nhill Rangers 0 (Mont Miller, Murray Miller, B. Miller); Warrack Hoops 3 (K. Mills, P. Slater, O. Bennett; C. Bardell, O. Bennett, P. Slater) d Kaniva Cobras 0 (D. Cole, C. Beattie, A. Wallis). Ladder: Yanac Tigers 38 points, 25 goal difference, 933 percent; Warrack Hoops 28, 19, 480; Dimboola Burras 26, 11, 173; Nhill Rangers 12, -14, 36; Kaniva Cobras 10, -21, 32; Horsham Hurricanes 6, -20, 23. Women: Dimboola Roos 10 (J. Klinge 4, E. Klinge 2, K. Smithyman 2, C. Finley, A. King; J. Klinge, E. Klinge, B. Mcmaster) d Horsham Jets 0 (S. Puls, S. Foot, C. Lawson); Yanac Women 5 (N. Harding 2, C. Beattie 2, S. Shurdington; E. Alexander, N. Harding, C. Beattie) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (B. Cuming, C. Kessler, E. Murden); Kaniva 2 (O. Williams, J. Braisby; O. Williams, C. Shurdington, T. Braisby) d Warracknabeal 0 (K. Krahe, T. Bull, J. Bull). Ladder: Yanac Women 36, 38; Dimboola Roos 32, 28; Nhill Thunderbirds 20, -1; Kaniva Women 18, -4; Horsham Jets 14, -12; Warrack Women 0, -49. Under-16: Horsham Bombers 2 (J. Crockford, T. Batchelor; T. Batchelor, L. Simmons, S. Foot) d Dimboola Kangaroos 1 (M. Reichelt; T. Krelle, W. Abbott, M. Reichelt); Yanac Warriors 6 (M. Farmers 2, C. Hassall 2, J. Croot, Caleb Zanker; J. Croot, M. Farmers, N. Colbert, C. Hassall) d Nhill Leopards 0 (K. Rowe, L. Mcbride, K. Clark); Warrack Revengers 3 (F. Eilola 2, H. Johns; B. Williamson, H. Johns, T. Engelbrecht, F. Eilola) d Kaniva Raiders 1 (M. Goodwin; M. Goodwin, S. Dowler, S. Braisby, N. White). Ladder: Yanac Warriors 40, 84; Kaniva Raiders 24, 5; Warrack Revengers 24, -9; Nhill Leopards 16, -5; Horsham Bombers 16, -29; Dimboola Kangaroos 0, -46.