The first round of the Wimmera Hockey Association season last weekend yielded some predictable results but also showed some form that suggests it will be a competitive season.

The rematch of last year’s Open division grand final will headline round two at Anzac Park at Warracknabeal on Saturday.

The Yanac Tigers started their premiership defence last weekend with a solid win, but some mystery still surrounds the Warrack Hoops as they had the bye in the first round and this will be their first hit for this season.

Many familiar faces will line up on both sides, but it will be how well the mix of new players gel with the veterans that could decide the match.

Regardless, these two teams have dominated this competition and have a strong rivalry that goes back several decades, and always put on a skilful and entertaining spectacle.

Having not lost a game since the semi-finals in 2019, it is hard to tip against the Tigers, but if any team can seriously challenge them, it will be the Hoops.

The other Open match will see the Horsham Hurricanes out to build on their first-round win when they meet the Kaniva Cobras, who will be looking to bounce back after having to face the reigning premiers in the first round.

The Nhill Rangers have the bye.

Having not fielded a team in the Women’s competition for several seasons, the Dimboola Roos entered round one as an unknown and proved that they were not just in to make up the numbers with a comfortable win on their home turf last Friday evening.

Their challenge now is to back this up when they take on the Nhill Thunderbirds who are coming off a loss to the Horsham Jets. The Roos’ form on grass is still yet to be seen, and the ‘Birds were quite competitive, so this should be another close game.

Warrack did not enjoy a good start to their season, going down to the Roos, and will not find round two any easier when they face the reigning premiers, Yanac, who had a win last Saturday.

Kaniva lost narrowly to Yanac in round one but will still be a challenge to the Jets, who are coming off a first-up win in another match that will begin to set the 2024 pecking order.

In the Under 16 competition, the closest match will be between the Horsham Bombers and Kaniva Raiders which could go either way, but when the Yanac Warriors take on the Warrack Revengers and Nhill Leopards play the Dimboola Kangaroos, early form suggests that both first named teams should get the points.


Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Two Fixture

Anzac Park, Warracknabeal

Saturday, 4 May, 2024

Field One

9.30 am - Warrack Revengers v. Yanac Warriors
11.00 am - Warrack Women v. Yanac Women
12.30 pm - Under 12 Development Program
 - Warrack Avengers v. Yanac Lowan Stars
  - Horsham Black Hawks v. Kaniva Rampagers
  - Nhill Bandits v. Dimboola Kookaburras
2.00 pm - Nhill Leopards v. Dimboola Kangaroos
3.30 pm - Warrack Hoops v. Yanac Tigers

Field Two

11.00 am - Horsham Bombers v. Kaniva Raiders
12.30 pm - Nhill Thunderbirds v. Dimboola Roos
2.00 pm - Horsham Hurricanes v. Kaniva Cobras
3.30 pm - Horsham Jets v. Kaniva Women

Bye - Nhill Rangers