A-Pool Wrap of the Round!
Premier League Men got the win in a nail bitting 3-2 Friday night blockbuster!
With what was a very physical encounter and a good test for the boys in terms of not only their physical fitness, but also their mental strength. Gobind Gill scored early with a brilliant mid-air reverse stick shot after a rebound off the UNI Keeper, followed shortly after by a precise Jai Walker Kidd penalty corner flick to lead 2-nil at quarter time.
The next 2 quarters produced a number of scoring opportunities for both sides, with Olly Arnold and Gobind Gill both spraying shots wide of the post by the thinnest of margins. Dan Harper made some excellent saves in front of goal, but a bullet-like deflection allowed UNI to claw back to 2-1 at half time. UNI equalised in the 3rd quarter to set up a fiery final quarter which saw Gobind taken to ground in a tackle ending his night early with a worrying wrist injury. Olly Arnold was subbed off the bench with a clear instruction from coach Mullins to âget me a goalâ. Arnold obliged in the dying minutes scoring the decider to not only place himself clear on top of the competitionâs leading goal scorers list, but to also keep his side a game clear on top of the ladder with 5 straight wins after the first round of matches. Best players were Lewis Short, Gobind Gill and Alistair White, with Jai Walker-Kidd solid in defence earning himself the Coaches Cup for best on ground.
Premier League Women managed a 2-0 victory over University in their Friday night clash! The girls started strongly creating plenty of chances but couldnât managed to score to take it 0-0 at half time. Early in the 3rd term some good team passing led to a precise hit by Chloe Cooper to find Annie Scutt for her first game of the season returning for the weekend from Melbourne on the far post to give the girls a 1-0 lead. Not long after Ash Arthur doubled the lead with a low drag flick, off a penalty corner to put her equal top of the womenâs leading goal scorers. Coach Chris Hazelwood was happy with the solid victory and another clean sheet. The defensive group all stood up led by full back combination Loui Jacobson and Rachel Hedgeman to set the tone for the game with great contributions from Lottie Jago, Anne Woolford and Chloe Cooper.
Highlight of the game was promising youngster Belle Kruimink stepping onto the field for her Premier League debut! Congratulations Belle!
1st grade men secured a 4-1 victory over University. With the absence of playing coach Brett Withington to International duties we welcomed Duncan Honey back to the group. On return Duncan managed 2 goals and a best on ground performance supported by Angus Cooper, Tom Maughan and Jordan Struthers. Goals to both Digory McCormack and Jack Gray to top a good overall performance. Congratulations to Shin OâKeeffe made his 1st grade debut!
1st grade women held on to win 1-0 over University to remain undefeated. The girls had a good first half where they controlled the games tempo with Anne Woolford and Alex Mainwaring dominating possession. Emily Harvey scoring with a back-stick deflection on the back post to give the girls a 1-0 lead. The second half seemed to be a completely different contest with Uni with complete control, we were able to absorb the pressure and keep a clean sheet with Michelle Carney in the net and Merinda McMahon standing out to earn the best on ground honours. To top off the win we had Lucy McMullen rewarded for her efforts to make her senior debut, congratulations Lucy!
