The run to the Wimmera hockey finals begins in earnest this week, with round nine, which will see some big games with several teams’ prospects on the line.
Following the last whole competition bye for the season last weekend, the competition now embarks on a seven-week run to the finals, starting with a big round of matches at Davis Park in Nhill on Saturday.
- Open -
Although the ladder positions may not suggest it, being first against fourth and second against fifth, we could be in for two big games in the Open competition this week.
The ladder has a familiar look with the teams currently in the same order that they finished last season, but with all teams showing fluctuating form over the first half of the season, there is still plenty of time for this to change.
When they met earlier in the season, the Horsham Hurricanes fought out a draw with the Yanac Tigers, but their form has dropped off with just one win since, while the Tigers are coming off a big win in their last start. This will be a challenge for the fourth-placed Hurricanes, who need a good performance to build their confidence if they are to become a threat in the finals.
The Nhill Rangers, who sit in fifth place and need a win if they are to stay in the race of the finals, have nothing to lose when they take on the Warrack Hoops, so if they can get several key position players back who were unavailable last round and on their home ground, they could push this opponent.
In contrast, the pressure will be on the Hoops who are within reach of challenging the Tigers for the top of the ladder and will not want to drop this one.
The Kaniva Cobras have the week off with the bye but will follow the fortunes of the Rangers, who they will meet next week.
- Women -
All three Women’s matches will be significant, with the closeness of this competition making every result count as the teams look to claim a top two finish and the all-important second chance in the finals.
Yanac currently holds the top spot, but by just two points, and will be keen to avenge their loss to the Jets earlier this season, while the Horsham team is still vulnerable to falling out of the top four and will need several more wins to ensure they play finals.
Kaniva and the Dimboola Roos go into their game locked on twenty-two points each, so the winner will move ahead outright into the top two and potentially the top spot if Yanac falters. Both have shown good form over recent matches, which makes this one very difficult to predict, but with Kaniva more at home on grass, they might go in as slight favourites.
The third game pits the two teams outside the top four against each other. A win for the Nhill Thunderbirds will keep their slim chances of making the finals alive, while Warracknabeal has more ground to make up, but a loss here will make it very difficult for them to challenge for a top-four finish. The ‘Birds should be too strong on their home ground, but if Warracknabeal is to spring a surprise, this may be it.
- Under 16 -
Yanac will also be looking to maintain its lead in the Under 16 competition when the Warriors take on the improving Horsham Bombers, and the Warrack Revengers will have their work cut out for them when they face the Nhill Leopards who are striving to keep in touch with the top two.
The Kaniva Raiders will keep their chances of claiming first place alive when they take on the young Dimboola Kangaroos.
Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Nine Fixture
Davis Park, Nhill - Saturday 13 July 2024
Field One
| 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
| | | - Kaniva Rampagers | v. Dimboola Kookaburras
| | | - Warrack Avengers | v. Nhill Bandits
| | | - Yanac Lowan Stars | v. Horsham Black Hawks
| | 2.00 pm | - Open | - Warrack Hoops | v. Nhill Rangers
| | 3.30 pm | - Women | - Warrack Women | v. Nhill Thunderbirds
|
Field Two
| 11.00 am | - Women | - Kaniva Women | v. Dimboola Roos
| | 12.30 pm | - Women | - Yanac Women | v. Horsham Jets
| | 2.00 pm | - Under 16 | - Kaniva Raiders | v. Dimboola Kangaroos
| | 3.30 pm | - Open | - Yanac Tigers | v. Horsham Hurricanes
|
Bye - Kaniva CobraS
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