Yanac maintains run in tight clash
After two rounds played on artificial surface at Dimboola, Wimmera hockey players got their first taste of grass hockey on Saturday, with round three of Wimmera Hockey Association season at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park.
In open division, Warrack Hoops went down by one goal, scored late in an otherwise even match, for the second week in a row.
Yanac Tigers enjoyed marginally more control of the ball throughout the game, but some great work by the Hoops’ defence, which included successfully defending eight penalty corners, curtailed the reigning premiers usual free-flowing game style that saw them win their first two games by six goals each.
At the other end of the ground, Hoops created some pressure, but the Tigers defence was equal to the task and preserved their perfect defensive record in 2022.
The only score came with just three minutes of play remaining, when a scrambly field goal attempt got through Hoops’ defence.
After that, neither team could create any more scoring attempts in the little time that remained and Tigers kept their undefeated record intact and moved one game clear on top of the ladder, while Hoops remain winless and outside the top four. Horsham Hurricanes reminded all opponents they are a challenger this year with a four-goal win over Nhill Rangers.
The Hurricanes established a lead early, with three goals in the first half, and although the Nhill team’s play improved as the game progressed, it could not score.
The side did restrict the Hurricanes to only one goal after half time, setting the four-goal final margin.
Kaniva Cobras moved into second place on the ladder after a comfortable win over Dimboola Burras.
Warrack and Yanac played a tight match in the women’s division, which finished in Yanac’s favour by one goal.
The play was even in the first half, with Yanac creating more attacking moves, but Warrack’s defence held firm and the teams went into half time without anything on the scoreboard.
Yanac increased its control in the second half, but was still not dominating, although it did wear down the Warrack defence and scored once, which proved to be enough to record its first win for the season.
Strong attacking by Horsham Jets allowed them to establish a threegoal lead by half time in their game against Nhill Thunderbirds, and after re-setting during the break, the ’Birds started the second half strongly and restricted Jets to just one more goal for the game. In under-16 competition, Horsham Bombers bounced back from a loss last week to outlast Nhill Leopards and score a narrow twogoals-to-one victory, and Yanac Warriors continued their perfect season with a five-goal win against Warrack Revengers.
Round-three results
Open – Horsham Hurricanes 4 (Goals – W. Gulline 3, R. Duggan; Best – W. Gulline, S. Hoffman, T. Leffler) d Nhill Rangers 0 (D. Schwarz, C. Kessler, C. Rowe). Yanac Tigers 1 (T. Alexander; B. Alexander, T. Alexander, N. Colbert, H. Pedie) d Warrack Hoops 0 (R. Bennett, S. Schultz, H. Wagenknecht, F. Eilola). Kaniva Cobras 6 (J. Bedford 2, L. Mills, J. Dyer, A. Wallis, S. Goodwin; B. Miller, B. Lovett, J. Bedford) d Dimboola Burras 0 (D. Danisch, S. Shwarz, C. Baldock). Women – Yanac Women 1 (A. Zanker; L. Farmer, C. Zanker, H. Honeyman, L. Cramer) d Warrack Women 0 (B. Mcmaster, F. Eilola, C. Hadzig, M. Bentley). Horsham Jets 4 (E. Morrow 2, H. Werner, A. Morrow; H. Werner, E. Morrow, A. Morrow) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (C. Kessler, K. Clark, T. Hendy, H. Cannell). Under-16s – Horsham Bombers 2 (L. Simmons, J. Schwarz; L. Simmons, A. Heal, J. Schwarz) d Nhill Leopards 1 (J. Clark; S. Rowe, D. Clark, O. Bone). Yanac Warriors 5 (H. Pedie 3, Archie Zanker, L. Cramer; H. Pedie, H. Zanker, C. Zanker) d Warrack Revengers 0 (S. Williamson, L. Nuske, E. Williamson). Under-12 development program – Dimboola Kookaburras 3 (J. Ward, E. Ward, R. Hadzig) v Kaniva Rampagers 2 (J. Beattie 2). Horsham Black Hawks 1 (H. Toet; encouragement award – A. Jochinke) v Nhill Bandits 2 (K. Bessalaar 2; encouragement award – B. Clark). Yanac Lowan Stars 0 (encouragment award – A. Zanker) v Warrack Avengers 4 (S. Williamson 2, H. Lomax, C. Peters).