Wimmera hockey enthusiasts are keen to return to the field this weekend after three weeks off due to recent restrictions.

After two rounds of matches were postponed, along with the Senior Country Championships that were also to be held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in Melbourne and Geelong, no local teams have played since mid-May.

Last week, the Wimmera Hockey Association Executive met to plan the way forward, and with the current restrictions allowing community sport for all grades to resume, hockey will start again this Saturday with the originally scheduled round eight at Davis Park in Nhill.

Space was also found in the fixture to reschedule the two postponed rounds, with round six to be played at Warracknabeal on Saturday 10 July, the last weekend of the school holidays, and round seven will take place at the end of the home and away season, on Saturday 28 August, which was to be the semi-finals.

The finals will now commence a week later, on Saturday 4 September and conclude with the grand final on Saturday 18 September, hosted by Kaniva.

It was also decided that if COVID-related restrictions impact any further rounds, they will be abandoned and not rescheduled.

Open

The Open competition will re-start with the improving Nhill Rangers taking on the ladder-leading Yanac Tigers, which is an opportunity to show their credentials as a serious premiership contender.

The two other Open division games will also be competitive. The second-placed Warrack Hoops meet the Kaniva Cobras, and the Dimboola Burras will look to continue their recent surge in form when they play the Horsham Hurricanes.

Although currently sitting outside the top four, the Cobras have the depth to challenge any team above them, and even though they are yet to taste victory this season, the Hurricanes pushed the Tigers in their last game, so pose a real threat to any team who dares to take them lightly.

Current Open Ladder after Round Five

 Pts  GD
Yanac Tigers20  14
Warrack Hoops142
Dimboola Burras102
Nhill Rangers100
Kaniva Cobras6-4
Horsham Hurricanes0-14

Women

The feature game in the Women’s division will see the undefeated Yanac Women take on the Nhill Thunderbirds, one of the teams that have a serious chance of tarnishing their record.

Although the Horsham Jets and Dimboola Roos only have one win between them, this is an important game as the Roos have improved significantly over the first five rounds but need to win if they are to stay in the race for the finals.

Current Women’s Ladder after Round Five

 Pts  GD
Yanac Women1819
Kaniva Women148
Nhill Thunderbirds103
Horsham Jets6-8
Dimboola Roos2-22

Under 16

A similar scenario will play out in the Under 16s, with the Kaniva Raiders looking for their first win for 2021, while their opponent, the Warrack Revengers, will aim to consolidate their claim as a finals contender with a good win.

Based on their recent form, it is challenging to pick who will be the first to inflict the Yanac Warriors’ first defeat since 2018, but this week it is the Nhill Leopards chance to try.

Current Under 16 Ladder after Round Five

 Pts  GD
Yanac Warriors1820
Horsham Bombers142
Nhill Leopards109
Warrack Revengers6-15
Kaniva Raiders2-16

Under 12 Developement Program

The Under 12s Development Program will also return with three games played at their usual 12.30 pm time slot.

Wimmera Hockey Association | Round Eight Fixture

Saturday 19 June at Davis Park, Nhill

Field One

11.00 am -  Under 16 - Nhill Leopards v. Yanac Warriors
12.30 pm - Open - Nhill Rangers v. Yanac Tigers
2.00 pm - Women - Horsham Jets v. Dimboola Roos
3.30 pm - Women - Nhill Thunderbirds v. Yanac Women

Field Two

11.00 pm - Under 16 -Kaniva Raiders v. Warrack Revengers
12.30 pm -Under 12 Development Program
 Horsham Black Hawks v. Dimboola Kookaburras
 Kaniva Rampagers v. Warrack Avengers
 Nhill Bandits v. Yanac Lowan Stars
2.00 pm -Open -Kaniva Cobras v. Warrack Hoops
3.30 pm -Open -Horsham Hurricanes v. Dimboola Burras

Bye - Horsham Bombers and Kaniva Women