Intriguing start to hockey season
After a welcome start to the Wimmera Hockey Association season at the weekend, round two will throw up several intriguing match-ups when the teams return to Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre on Saturday.
The opening match will be between the two teams that would have played off in the under-16 grand final had the finals gone ahead last season, and with both Yanac Warriors and Horsham Bombers coming off big wins in round one, a top game of hockey is anticipated.
Despite their dominance last season, the two sides never lined up against each other with both teams at full strength, but if they can get their best players on the field at the same time, this will be a match worth watching.
The other under-16 match will be Nhill Leopards’ first outing for the season after having a bye in the first round, so they remain an unknown when they take on the young Kaniva Raiders, who suffered a loss to the Warriors last week.
With all six teams in open competition putting on competitive showings in the first round, it will take several weeks to gauge their relative form, suggesting that three more entertaining
games will take place this weekend.
Dimboola Burras will be looking to build on their first-round win, but come up against Warrack Hoops, who rarely lose two games in a row and will be determined to open their account after a narrow loss last week.
Neither Nhill Rangers nor Kaniva Cobras were disgraced in their opening-round losses, however both will be determined to register their first win when they meet in a twilight game.
In the battle of the first-up winners, Horsham Hurricanes can gauge their improvement since their sixth-place finish last year when they face the daunting task of taking on Yanac Tigers, who have not lost a game since July 2016.
In the women’s competition, Nhill Thunderbirds had the bye last week and have a tough start to the season as they are drawn to play Kaniva, who have already outplayed reigning premiers Yanac in round one.
Confident after a first-up victory,
Horsham Jets have the chance also to inflict a rare defeat on a Yanac team that has dominated them for several seasons, but even if they are not at full strength, their opponent will put up a strong challenge.
Warracknabeal and Revengers have the bye in the women’s and under-16 competitions respectively and the under-12 development program will return for the first time in 2022.
Round-one results – Open: Yanac Tigers 6 (Goals, T. Alexander 2, J. Cramer 2, B. Alexander,
N. Alexander; Best, T. Alexander, B. Alexander, N. Alexander, R. Croot) defeated Kaniva Cobras 0 (C. Beattie, L. Mills, N. Krelle). Horsham Hurricanes 2 (W. Gulline, T. Batchelor; P. Mackereth, W. Gulline, T. Batchelor) defeated Warrack Hoops 1 (B. Williamson; C. Bardell, R. Bennett, B. Williamson). Dimboola Burras 2 (D. Danisch, Z. Collard; J. Paley, T. Jorgensen, B. Tischler) defeated Nhill Rangers 0 (H. Pearse, D. Schwarz, K. Rowe). Women: Kaniva Women 4 (Sharon Williams 2, L. Shurdington, B. Williams; O. Williams, Sigourney Williams, Sharon Williams) defeated Yanac Women 1 (J. Braisby; E. Alexander, S. Hedt, H. Honeyman). Horsham Jets 4 (A. Morrow 4, L. Shilling 1; A. Morrow, L. Schilling, S. Puls, K. Triffitt) defeated Warrack Women 3 (C. Bennett, J. Bennett, F. Eilola; L. Eilola, F. Eilola, D. Templeton). Under-16: Horsham Bombers 16 (T. Batchelor 7, L. Simmons 3, A. Heal 2, L. Nuske, R. Knoop, J. Schwarz; L. Nuske, T. Batchelor, J. Nuske) defeated Warrack Revengers 1 (C. Bennett; C. Bennett, S. Williamson, H. Knoop). Yanac Warriors 9 (A. Farmers 3, R. Croot 2, H. Pedie 2, Archie Zanker, S. Pedie; R. Croot, H. Pedie, A. Farmers) defeated Kaniva Raiders 0 (C. Dodson, L. Krelle, O. Curtis).