Wimmera hockey enthusiasts will converge on Yanac for the first time this season on Saturday for round seven, as the competition nears the halfway point of the regular season.
The home teams currently top all three competition ladders and will look to strengthen their positions by playing on their home ground.
- Open -
In the first of the Open division matches, the Kaniva Cobras, despite coming off a comfortable victory over the Hurricanes last weekend, will have to play at their best as they face the Yanac Tigers on their home turf, who drew with the Hoops and will be looking to reestablish their dominance over the competition, particularly as they are still vulnerable to being joined at the top of the ladder.
A Cobras win would see three teams equal on points at the top of the ladder, as they would join the Tigers on eighteen points and the Hoops who will earn two points for the bye.
A Tigers win would see them remain as the outright leaders.
After a loss to the Cobras in round six, the Horsham Hurricanes are vulnerable to dropping another game when they take on the improving Nhill Rangers, who are fresh off the bye.
Although still without a win this season, they have looked threatening over recent games, and this is a prime opportunity for them to open their account, which could see them displace their opponent in the top four.
Above - There is a lot riding on the Rangers v. Hurricanes match, as any result could have significant implications for both team’s chances of making the finals.
- Women -
The feature game in the Women’s competition will see the competition-leading Yanac face their opponents from last year’s grand final, Kaniva, who, despite coming off a loss to the Jets last Saturday, remain a potent combination and are more than capable of challenging the reigning premiers.
After overcoming Kaniva by two goals last weekend, the Horsham Jets need to keep winning if they are to remain in the top two on the ladder, and they won’t find the Nhill Thunderbirds an easy opponent after they narrowly went down to the Roos after an epic match in their last outing.
The other Wimen’s match pitches the Dimboola Roos against Warracknabeal, two teams that have worked together over recent seasons to keep their respective teams on the field, but both need the points from a win here, with the Roos looking to remain amongst the leading teams and Warracknabeal after their first win for the season.
- Under 16 -
The round will begin with an enticing clash in the Under 16 competition which will see the two undefeated teams, the Yanac Warriors and Kaniva Raiders, meet with outright top of the ladder being the prize for the winner. Last time these two met, back in round one at Dimboola, they played out a three-all draw, and both have won all their games since, so this will be a top encounter.
The Horsham Bombers and Nhill Leopards will be another close game, but the Leopards have shown better recent form and should stay in touch with the top two with a win, and when the Warrack Revengers and Dimboola Kangaroos play, both will be looking for a confidence-boosting win.
Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Seven Fixture
Yanac Recreation Reserve - Saturday 22 June 2024
Field One
| 9.30 am | - Under 16 | - Yanac Warriors | v. Kaniva Raiders
| | 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 | - Yanac Tigers | v. Kaniva Cobras
| | 3.30 pm | - Women | - Yanac Women | v. Kaniva Women
|
Field Two
| 11.00 am | - Women | - Warrack Women | v. Dimboola Roos
| | 12.30 pm | - Women | - Horsham Jets | v. Nhill Thunderbirds
| | 2.00 pm | - Under 16 | - Warrack Revengers | v. Dimboola Kangaroos
| | 3.30 pm | - Open | - Horsham Hurricanes | v. Nhill Rangers
|
Bye - Warrack Hoops
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