Wins to the Yanac Women and the Under 16 Yanac Warriors in the last round of the regular Wimmera Hockey Association season allowed them both to join their Open team, the Yanac Tigers, in claiming the top rung on their respective ladders, completing a rare trifecta of one club claiming all three minor premierships.
This weekend also heralded the end of the season for two teams in each competition, but the beginning of a finals campaign for the remaining teams, and with the match ups for the finals confirmed the previous weekend, it is difficult to read much from the form shown in round fifteen, with a number of finals combatants unable to field their strongest team.
Open
On Friday evening the Nhill Rangers played their last game for 2018 and although they failed to earn the points, they did demonstrate what they are capable of when they can get close to their best teams on the field.
The Rangers enjoyed the luxury of a full interchange bench for the first time this season, and it showed that with the right resources next season they will be a dangerous team after giving the Dimboola Burras a scare.
In a very even game, it took until the mid point of the second half before Caleb Halsall for the Burras was able to convert a penalty corner to put the first score on the board, but the Rangers did not give up, continuing to earn their share of the ball but were unable to convert any of their possession to goals.
A second goal to Halsall from another penalty corner within seconds of the end of the game extended the final result to two goals, but the game was much closer on the field that this score line suggests.
The long tradition of close games between the Yanac Tigers and Warrack Hoops continued with these teams playing out their second draw for the season, the only blemishes on the Tigers' otherwise perfect season so far.
Although the ball spent more time in Yanac's attacking half of the field early in the game, it was Ben Williamson of the Hoops who scored first, giving his team the lead at the break.
The second half was similar to the first, with the Tigers creating scoring opportunities but ferocious defence by the Hoops repelling a number of scoring attempts. A goal by Jamie Harding evened the scores which left a one all score line and sets up the enticing prospect of another enthralling game next Saturday when these two teams meet again in the second semi final, with a place in the grand final on the line.
The Kaniva Cobras found some much needed form with a win over the Horsham Hurricanes as they prepare to take on the Dimboola Burras in the other semi final.
The Cobras have struggled for consistency this season, having won two consecutive games on only one occasion, and that was back in rounds four and five, and on Saturday they came up against an in-form Horsham Hurricanes' team looking to end their season on a high.
In another even game, it was Lachie Mills of the Cobras scoring two goals in the first half that proved to be the difference between the teams.
After the break, a further two goals to the Cobras off the stick of Mathew McDonald were matched by goals to Paul Mackereth and Simon Trigg of the Hurricanes, so although the Horsham team did not take any points, they were not disgraced with the result.
Women
Yanac confirmed top spot on the Women's ladder with a comfortable win over Warracknabeal, and will take some good form into their semi final clash with the Dimboola Roos.
Erin Alexander scored two of Yanac's four goals and was one of her team's best players, and for Warrack, full back Tiffany Bull and half back Kelly Krahe were judged as their best players.
Although they were no longer able to qualify for the finals, Kaniva finished their season on a positive note with a three goals to two win over the higher ranked Horsham Jets who now much regroup before their semi final clash with Warrack next weekend.
Two goals to Sophie Robinson kept the Jets in the game but was not quite enough to overcome the determined Kaniva team which had three separate goal scorers; Lisa Stimson, Kayla White and Hannah White.
In the game on Friday evening, the Dimboola Roos put in a confident display against the Nhill Thunderbirds that shows that although they have finished behind Yanac on the ladder, the reigning premiers are priming themselves for a tilt at a third consecutive premiership.
Vicki Smithyman scored two goals and Kelly Smithyman and Adina King one each to make up the Roos' four goals, whilst Kendra Clark was sole scorer for the Thunderbirds.
Above - Adina King (left) and Kelly Smithyman celebrate a goal.
Under 16
The Yanac Warriors claimed top spot on the Under 16 ladder after a hard fought win over the Warrack Revengers.
These two teams were already scheduled to meet each other again in the semi finals regardless of the result, but top place on the ladder was the prize for the winner.
The Warriors scored early with a penalty corner conversion by Rourkey Croot just three minutes into the game and much of the rest of the game was an arm-wrestle with neither team gaining an advantage.
A more attacking game by the Revengers towards the end of the second half in an attempt even the scores presented the opportunity for the Warriors to score two more late goals, both by Caleb Zanker, including one with two seconds of play remaining.
This three goal result was not a true indication of the evenness of the game, and a close encounter is anticipated when they meet again next weekend.
The other two teams that had already qualified for the finals, the Nhill Leopards and Kaniva Raiders, both endured tough games against the Dimboola Kangaroos and Kaniva Raiders respectively and both now go into their semi final against each other with winning form.
Under 12
Another successful season for the Under 12 Development Program came to an end with the final round of games for 2018 along with the presentations of participation certificates and hats to each player.
The inaugural Wimmera Hockey Association Under 12 Encouragement Awards were also presented, with Rachel Reichelt from Nhill and Charlie White from Kaniva given the Girls and Boys trophies respectively.
In the games, the Horsham Black Hawks defeated the Kaniva Rampagers, the Dimboola Kookaburras finished ahead of the Nhill Bandits the Yanac Lowan Stars and Warrack Avengers played out a two all draw.
Round Fifteen Results
Open
Dimboola Burras 2 (Goals - C Halsall 2; Best - B Tischler, C Halsall, T Dent) defeated Nhill Rangers 0 (Best - S Bone, L Marra, D Schwarz)
Yanac Tigers 1 (Goal - J Harding; Best - B Alexander, T Alexander, K Croot) drew with Warrack Hoops 1 (Goal - B Williamson; Best - C Bardell, R Brown, H Wagenknecht)
Kaniva Cobras 4 (Goals - M McDonald 2, L Mills 2; Best - L Mills, K Glasgow, D Cole) defeated Horsham Hurricanes 2 (Goals - P Mackereth, S Trigg; Best - P Mackereth, S Trigg, J Heal)
Open Ladder
| | Pts | GD
| | Yanac Tigers | 56 | 56
| | Warrack Hoops | 40 | 19
| | Kaniva Cobras | 30 | -9
| | Dimboola Burras | 28 | -4
| | Horsham Hurricanes | 20 | -20
| | Nhill Rangers | 6 | -42
|
Women
Dimboola Roos 4 (Goals - V Smithyman 2, K Smithyman, A King; Best - V Smithyman, R Albrecht, B McMaster) defeated Nhill Thunderbirds 1 (Goal - K Clark; Best - G McLeod, K Farquharson, K Clark)
Kaniva Women 3 (Goals - L Stimson, K White, H White; Best - S Williams, O Williams, L Stimson) defeated Horsham Jets 2 (Goals - S Robinson 2; Best - K Triffitt, L Schilling, S Robinson)
Yanac Women 4 (Goals - E Alexander 2, S Hedt, N Jones; Best - S Alexander, E Alexander, N Jones) defeated Warrack Women 0 (Best - T Bull, K Krahe, F Eilola)
Women's Ladder
| | Pts | GD
| | Yanac Women | 52 | 43
| | Dimboola Roos | 50 | 28
| | Horsham Jets | 24 | -1
| | Warrack Women | 22 | -23
| | Kaniva Women | 18 | -22
| | Nhill Thunderbirds | 14 | -25
|
Under 16
Yanac Warriors 3 (Goals - C Zanker 2, R Croot; Best - N Colbert, A Farmers, R Croot, J Croot) defeated Warrack Revengers 0 (Best - O Bennett, F Eilola, S Goodwin, L Eilola)
Nhill Leopards 1 (Goal - J Reichelt; Best - J Reichelt, K Clark, E Murden, M Reichelt) defeated Dimboola Kangaroos 0 (Best - T Krelle, R Simpson, K Bamford, L Krelle)
Kaniva Raiders 3 (Goals - O Williams 2, M Goodwin; Best - O Williams, J Mitchell, M Goodwin, S Braisby) defeated Horsham Bombers 1 (Goal - L Shanaughan; Best - C Dodson, B Woodhart, J Schwarz, E Downie)
Under 16 Ladder
| | Pts | GD
| | Yanac Warriors | 50 | 32
| | Warrack Revengers | 48 | 20
| | Nhill Leopards | 40 | 34
| | Kaniva Raiders | 24 | -9
| | Dimboola Kangaroos | 10 | -16
| | Horsham Bombers | 8 | -61
|
Under 12 Development Program
Horsham Black Hawks 1 (Goal - S Schwarz) defeated Kaniva Rampagers 0 (Encouragement Award - K Stimson)
Dimboola Kookaburras 4 (Goals - L Krelle 3, E Simpson) defeated Nhill Bandits 1 (Goal - Maloney; Encouragement Award - K Chequer)
Yanac Lowan Stars 2 (Goals - Archie Zanker, H Pedie) drew with Warrack Avengers 2 (Goals - Z O'Connor 2)
|
