The Lower South East Hockey Association’s women’s side has hit a hattrick at the State Senior Country Championships in Adelaide over the weekend, winning its third consecutive title.

There were a lot of new faces this time around to add to the core group, coached by Brayden Burston.

The inaugural game had the Lower South East Hockey Association (LSEHA) take on Naracoorte in what would be a grand final preview, with LSEHA coming out on top 3-1, with sisters Billie Jones scoring a goal and Dana Jones scoring twice.

Billie was at it again in the goals in game two, scoring the opener against a strong Port Pirie side.

Youngster Clare Hopgood scored her first goal in the senior side, with LSEHA holding on for the 2-1 win to remain undefeated.

The third game of day one was a game of two halves, with LSEHA dominating early to take a 3-0 lead, only to be reeled in over the space of five minutes by some outstanding offensive play by Riverland to end up 3-all.

The reigning champions however bounced back on the morning of day two, recording a convincing 8-0 win over Whyalla, with Kaitlyn Nisbet scoring twice and singles for all players in a true show of teamwork.

Port Lincoln loomed as the crunch match as both sides remained undefeated and it was a tight tussle throughout with Dana Jones scoring the only goal to win 1-0, thanks in large part to some outstanding defending by Morgan Cooper and mid field running by Olivia Turner, Chloe Boylan and Tess Kenseley.

The final pool game did not matter in the end, but LSEHA wanted to go into the finals full of confidence so pushed hard for the win against traditional rivals Barossa.

After a mid-field arm wrestle, young gun Hopgood slotted the game’s only goal backstick off a beautiful cross by Dana Jones for the 1-0 victory, to head into the grand final in top spot and undefeated.

The grand final was a cracking contest between two sides who knew each other well, and Naracoorte came out stronger, only narrowly being denied by the post early on after a great early shot on goal.

LSEHA goalkeeper Kate Fabian showed why she is so highly rated with some outstanding defensive work in both halves, recording clearance after clearance, as this year’s victors held on at times by the skin of their teeth.

Cooper was her dominant best at fullback, repelling attacking play after attacking play, and Lauren Lunsmann hit peak form in the final, holding firm with some great defence.

Amy Hunt was dominating for her side, and Naracoorte finally broke the deadlock and took a deserved lead through Olivia Williams.

LSEHA looked out of sorts, with their offence struggling to penetrate under the pressure of Naracoorte’s well organised defence marshalled by Shannan Derrington.

However with all of their stars thrown up forward for a last push, LSEHA were able to draw out a penalty stroke thanks to an infringement in front of goal, which Cooper calmly slotted to even the scores.

With only a matter of minutes remaining LSEHA scored possibly the goal of the tournament, as a bullet pass into the spot by Cooper found the deflection from Dana Jones for a goal to remember.

It was a fantastic ending to a great comeback by LSEHA, and an equally impressive tournament by Naracoorte, especially Amy Hunt who was named player of the finals.

The LSEHA men also had a very successful tournament, making it all the way to the grand final before running into a terrific Barossa side.

The early rounds went according to plan for LSEHA, with youngster Nash Lobley scoring in the first 20 seconds to secure a 1-0 win against Port Pirie in the first match.

Game two saw Connor Bartlett score twice while Greg Doll and Lobley each scored for a 4-0 victory over Country West.

In what was to be the final game of the day, the lights malfunctioned on pitch two, unfortunately meaning a declared draw against Barossa to end the day after only five minutes of play.

On day two the LSEHA men defeated Riverland 4-0 with goals to Lochie Nisbet, Doll, Lobley and Bartlett.

With fewer teams participating, the men’s side of the draw had a full finals structure, with LSEHA making the first verses second play off for the easy path through to the grand final.

Unfortunately it was not to be, with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Barossa meaning the team had to go the hard way through with a do or die match against Port Pirie.

Like the previous game the match was very tight, at times getting enthusiastic between two sides desperate to progress.

Some brilliant keeping by BJ Howard denied Port Pirie for a time, but eventually they took advantage of a fast break to create a three on one situation which they duly scored to take a 1-0 lead.

Staring down the barrel of elimination, LSEHA dug deep, eventually finding an equaliser thanks to Brayden Burston.

This goal was enough to secure the draw, and courtesy of finishing higher on the ladder LSEHA progressed to the grand final for another crack at the Barossa.

The extra game and only two substitutions seemed to loom large for LSEHA however, with Barossa jumping out of the gates and piling on four goals before the half time break, in what would be the final score after LSEHA lifted their game to a higher level in the second half.

Despite the loss it was an excellent campaign and a great result for the men who were runners up for the second year in a row.