After no games were played in the Wimmera last weekend due to school holidays and the Junior State Championships, the first of the Wimmera Hockey Association’s postponed rounds will take place on Anzac Park in Warracknabeal on Saturday.

Originally scheduled to be played at Kaniva back in late May, Round Six is one of two rounds that did not take place as planned due to lockdowns and has been fitted in on a weekend that traditionally had no hockey due to the school holidays. The other affected round will be played at Kaniva at the end of August before the finals commence a week later than initially planned.

Open -

The most interest in this round will be in the match between the Warrack Hoops and Dimboola Burras. These two are yet to face off in an entire game this seaosn after their first encounter was called off before halftime due to an injury to a player. As a result, this is their first opportunity to gain a psychological advantage over an opponent they are likely to face in the finals.

The Hoops currently hold second place by four points, and with a full-strength team, should be able to prevail on their home ground, but the Burras have been in impressive form over recent weeks, and if they too can take the field with their best eleven, this will be a match worth watching. A Burras win would see them draw level on points with the Hoops but they would have to win by more than three goals to finish the round above their opponents.

The Nhill Rangers should be able to get the points from their match against the Horsham Hurricanes, although the Horsham team is capable of scoring an upset, and this would be an ideal opportunity for them to close the gap with the top four and remain in the hunt for a place in the finals.

The Cobras have been very competitive so far this season which is not reflected by their current fifth place on the ladder, but it is a daunting task to take on the Yanac Tigers, and they will have to play at their absolute best if they are to earn the points from this game and remain in touch with the top four.

Women -

The second-placed Kaniva Women have the opportunity to make a statement when they take on the undefeated Yanac Women, but they are coming off not having played a competitive game since late May, which may work against them as they take on the competition’s benchmark team.

Third place is the prize on offer when the Horsham Jets take on the Nhill Thunderbirds. The latter team currently holds that position and have the opportunity to increase their grip, but a win by the Jets would see them rise to third - their highest position so far this season.

The Dimboola Roos have the bye.

Under 16 -

Having gone down to the Yanac Warriors by one goal scored from a penalty corner played out after the final whistle last round, the Horsham Bombers will look to return to the winners’ list when they take on the Nhill Leopards.

With only four points separating these two teams, a good win by the Leopards could see them rise to second, but the loss to the Warriors in their last outing should prove to only be a minor hiccup for the Bombers, who should be too strong on this occasion.

Unfortunately, the rescheduling of this round has seen the Warrack Revengers miss playing a game on their home ground, but two points from the bye will be enough for them to return to the top four if the fourth-placved Kaniva Raiders fail to overcome the undefeated Yanac Warriors in the other game.

Under 12 Development Program -

The next generation of Wimmera hockey players will engage in three games in the Under 12 Development Program at 12.30 pm, with the Warrack Avengers playing the Dimboola Kookaburras, the Horsham Black Hawks taking on the Nhill Bandits, and the Yanac Lowan Stars meeting the Kaniva Rampagers.

Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Six Fixture

At Anzac Park, Warracknabeal on Saturday 10 July

Field One

11.00 am - Under 16 - Yanac Warriors v. Kaniva Raiders
12.30 pm - Open - Yanac Tigers v. Kaniva Cobras
2.00 pm - Women - Yanac Women v. Kaniva Women
3.30 pm - Open - Warrack Hoops v. Dimboola Burras

Field Two

11.00 am - Under 16 - Horsham Bombers v. Nhill Leopards
12.30 pm -Under 12 Development Program
  - Warrack Avengers v. Dimboola Kookaburras
  - Horsham Black Hawks v. Nhill Bandits
  - Yanac Lowan Stars v. Kaniva Rampagers
2.00 pm - Open - Horsham Hurricanes v. Nhill Rangers
3.30 pm - Women - Horsham Jets v. Nhill Thunderbirds

Byes - Warrack Revengers and Dimboola Roos