With the leading teams in each competition already more than one win ahead of the rest of the field, the interest over the upcoming rounds in the Wimmera Hockey Association will be on the jostling for the lower positions in order to mount a serious challenge in the lead up to the finals.

Round nine will be played at the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre and will feature several significant games, and will also feature as rule session and umpire coahcing from a visiting Hockey Victoria umpire’s coach.
Recap what happened last weekend in round eight and find your team’s current ladder position here.

Open -

The clash between the Warrack Hoops and Nhill Rangers in the Open competition will be a top game after the third-placed Rangers put up a good performance against the ladder-leading Yanac Tigers last week, suggesting they will be a match for the second-placed Hoops.

Even though the next game is between the top and bottom teams, it will be a closer contest on the field. The Hurricanes earned their first win for the season last weekend and will be full of confidence when they take on the Yanac Tigers.

Above - Umpiring will be a focus during round nine of the Wimmera Hockey Association season - the Association’s Umpires’ Convenor Caleb Baldock oversees a scoop shot by Yanac Tigers’ Jamie Harding.

The last match should also be a close contest as the Dimboola Burras look to bounce back from a last-round loss, and the Cobras showed that they can match the teams above them on the ladder with a draw with the Hoops. For added interest, only one of these teams will be in the top four by Saturday night.

Women -

The relative ladder positions of the combatants suggest that the two games in the Women’s division will be clear cut, but they will provide much interest more interest on the field.

It is difficult to see the Horsham Jets overcoming the undefeated Yanac Women, but after enjoying a win last round, it is the perfect opportunity for them to test themselves and show their credentials as a serious finals contender.

The Dimboola Roos will face another challenge as they take on the second-placed Kaniva Women, but with Kaniva not having played for a month after the postponement of two rounds and the bye last week, it will be a chance for the Roos to grab their first win against an underprepared opponent.

The Nhill Thunderbirds have the bye.

Under 16 -

One of the best games for the round will see the top two teams in the Under 16 competition battle it out for mid-season bragging rights. The Yanac Warriors won their last encounter against an undermanned Horsham Bombers, but if they can put their best team on the field, the Bombers have a real chance to be the first team to defeat the Warriors since 2018.

Both the Warrack Revengers and Nhill Leopards have been ‘hot and cold’ this season, so it is difficult to predict a winner in this game as it will depend on the players who take to on the field on the day. The Revengers have the added incentive of reclaiming the place in the top four they lost last weekend.

The Kaniva Raiders have the week off with the bye.

Under 12 Development Program -

The Under 12 Development Program lineup will see the Warrack Avengers play the Nhill Bandits, the Yanac Lowan Stars take on the Horsham Black Hawks, and the Dimboola Kookaburras meet the Kaniva Rampagers in their traditional 12.30 pm time slot.

Umpiring -

The Wimmera Hockey Association’s officials will have the opportunity to fine-tune their understanding of the rules of the sport, and players will be able to clarify the rules in several sessions to be conducted during the day by South-West zone umpire developer, Charlie Martin.

Martin will also be available to provide one-on-one coaching to both experienced umpires and the next generation of match officials in the Wimmera.

Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Nine Fixture

Hosted by the Horsham Hockey Club at the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre on Saturday 26 June 2021.

9.30 am -Under 16 -  Warrack Revengers v. Nhill Leopards
11.00 am -  Under 16 - Yanac Warriors v. Horsham Bombers
12.30 pm - Under 12 Development Program
  - Warrack Avengers v. Nhill Bandits
  - Yanac Lowan Stars v. Horsham Black Hawks
  - Dimboola Kookaburras v. Kaniva Rampagers
1.30 pm - Women - Yanac Women v. Horsham Jets
3.00 pm - Open - Warrack Hoops v. Nhill Rangers
4.30 pm - Women - Dimboola Roos v. Kaniva Women
6.00 pm - Open - Yanac Tigers v. Horsham Hurricanes
7.30 pm - Open - Dimboola Burras v. Kaniva Cobras

Bye - Kaniva Raiders and Nhill Thunderbird