The clash of the heavyweights in the Open competition headlines round eleven of the Wimmera hockey season at Yanac on Saturday as several teams’ chances of making the finals hang in the balance.
Open
The Yanac Tigers and Warrack Hoops currently hold the top two places on the ladder and are already assured of playing in the finals again this year and are on track to potentially meet again in late August, so the psychological advantage of a win here could make the difference at the end of the season.
The Tigers are undefeated in their last fifty games, and recent form suggests that this will continue, but the Hoops looked good in their win against the Hurricanes last week and are in the best position of any of the teams to challenge this dominance.
The second Open match will see the other two teams in the top four meet, with both needing a win to keep their run to the finals on track. A win for the Cobras will confirm their place in the finals, keep them in the running for a top-two finish, and increase the pressure on the Hurricanes to qualify.
A Hurricanes win would shut the door on the Nhill Rangers’ chances of making the finals.
Recent form suggests that the Tigers and Cobras should come away with wins, but there could still be a few surprises in a very even season. The Rangers have the bye.
Women
The fluctuating form of several middle-of-the-ladder teams in the Women’s competition will ensure interest is maintained well into the last third of the regular season, beginning with two pivotal match-ups this week.
The Dimboola Roos have missed several key players in recent matches, which has been reflected in their on-field results. They will need another win soon to get their season back on track, but they are not assured of getting the points when they take on the Nhill Thunderbirds.
After a slow start, the ‘Birds are finding some form, and remain in a position to return to the top four but will need two more wins than either the Roos or Jets over the next six rounds. This scenario is possible, and they can stay on track with a win over the Roos.
The Horsham Jets have also had a ‘hot and cold’ season, but coming off a solid victory and taking on Kaniva, who fought out a tough draw last week, could see them keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive if they can put their best team on the pitch.
Taking on the ladder leader will be a great learning experience for the sixth-placed Warracknabeal, particularly for its younger cohort of players who have shown considerable improvement in both skills and confidence over the season, but the home team should be too strong and maintain their grip on the top of the ladder.
Under 16
In the Under 16 division, teams from the top three will take on opponents from the bottom three, and recent form suggests that the gap between the two halves is set to widen.
The closest match of the round will be between the Kaniva Raiders and the team from the bottom three that is best positioned to challenge the leaders, the Horsham Bombers, but with the possibility of claiming the top spot, Kaniva should be too strong.
It is difficult to see the Yanac Warriors being seriously challenged by the Warrack Revengers or the Nhill Leopards having too much trouble taking on the young Dimboola Kangaroos, but if either of the leading teams were not to take their opponents seriously, an upset is not out of the question.
Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Eleven
Yanac Recreation Reserive - Saturday 27th July 2024
Field One
| 11.00 am | - Under 16 | - Kaniva Raiders | v. Horsham Bombers
| | 12.30 pm | - Under 12 Development Program
| | | - Yanac Lowan Stars | v. Warrack Avengers
| | | - Kaniva Rampagers | v. Horsham Black Hawks
| | | - Dimboola Kookaburras | v. Nhill Bandits
| | 2.00 pm | - Open | - Kaniva Cobras | v. Horsham Hurricanes
| | 3.30 pm | - Women | - Kaniva Women | v. Horsham Jets
|
Field Two
| 9.30 am | - Under 16 | - Yanac Warriors | v. Warrack Revengers
| | 11.00 am | - Open | - Yanac Tigers | v. Warrack Hoops
| | 12.30 pm | - Women | - Dimboola Roos | v. Nhill Thunderbirds
| | 2.00 pm | - Under 16 | - Dimboola Kangaroos | v. Nhill Leopards
| | 3.30 pm | - Women | - Yanac Women | v. Warrack Women
|
Bye - Nhill Rangers
|
