Sunday’s Lower South East Hockey Association round 15 Division 1 women’s match between West and Redbacks was their last meeting before their upcoming preliminary final encounter in a fortnight’s time.

Both teams came out with lots of purpose and talk amongst their players, determined to get the upper hand.

The first quarter was an even affair with both teams having their opportunities to put a score on the board, but neither could find the net.

Throughout the second quarter, Redbacks was able to hold more of the ball in its attack, with Jade Delaney and Megan Beck working solidly through the middle of the field to distribute the ball forward.

Despite earning several penalty corners, Redbacks was not able to put a ball in the goals and at half time it was still zero all.

Redbacks continued to dominate the attack through the third quarter, with many opportunities to put the ball in the net.

But outstanding goal keeping from Christina Jachmann kept West in the game, until Redbacks finally got one past in a penalty corner hit from Anna Mitchell.

Shortly after, West was able to counterattack and earn one of its few penalty corners for the match, with the ball being put into the back of the net and bringing the score level.

Heading into the final quarter, both teams were more determined than ever to add another goal and take the win.

West had several strong crosses through the middle of the circle but were not able to take advantage of the opportunity to score a second goal.

Late in the quarter Redbacks found an opening with a great run down the right-hand side of the field and some desperation in the circle resulted a penalty stroke being awarded.

Delaney stepped up and was able to score a low flick to the left of keeper Jachmann to put her team into the lead.

Both teams fought hard until the final whistle, but Redbacks was able to hold on to take the win.

In the other Division 1 women’s match, Tigers recorded a comfortable win over an undermanned Strikers side.

With a combination of goals from short corner set plays and field goals, Tigers got six passed up and coming junior keeper Abbey Gerritsen, who would have learnt a lot during her few weeks filling in for Kate Fabian, who was still away on state hockey duties.

Strikers worked hard with only 10 players to keep things tight until the half time break and conceded only two goals against them.

But Tigers lifted and used the superior speed and skill of Olivia Turner and Brooke Marcus to their advantage to put the foot down in the second half.

Tayla England and Nicole Cook worked hard in the midfield for Strikers and created a lot of pressure.

However, team play by Tigers enabled two goals each to Kaitlyn Nisbet and Marcus, while Latisha Adam and Turner also scored.

The Strikers Division 2 women almost caused the upset of the round against top side Naracoorte as they took a 1-0 lead through Deb Smith.

Naracoorte was not looking its best and found themselves uncharacteristically under defensive pressure, but like most good sides was able to absorb this and come back for a 3-1 win.

The score line blown out by two late last quarter goals as Strikers ran out of legs.

It was a terrific effort by Strikers however and will give them plenty to build on with a young side next season.

Naracoorte will be meeting Tigers in the qualifying final in a fortnights time, with Tigers recording a hard fought 2-1 win over fourth placed West in the last game of the round to stitch up a top two finish.

Tigers dominated possession but lacked the finishing touch for the first three quarters and despite controlling the game the scoreboard remained 0-0 thanks to some solid defending by fullback Lizzie Doyle and goalie Lauren Smith for West.

Finally, Tigers strung together a lovely passage of attacking play, with youngster Clare Hopgood picking out Teena McKee in the circle.

McKee drew the goalie to her before pushing it across to Shelley Carne who made no mistake in the open goal.

West was not done however and took advantage of a Tigers side who relaxed too early, and promptly scored a return goal through a fast break, finished off by Agnes Doyle.

This stunned Tigers back into gear and shortly after they were in front again, after Jo Hopgood scored a nice short corner variation to get the matchwinner.

With most of the finals spots already decided in the men’s competition, the highlight of the round came in a Division 3 match, when Strikers’ legend and oldest player in the competition Terry Nisbet scored for his side in what must have been the most highly celebrated minor round goal this year.

A deflection to the top of the circle after an attack by junior Sebastian Rickets saw Nisbet get on the end of a goal, which he gleefully accepted.

Strikers went on to win the match 2-1, after Rickets also scored himself, and Jesse Hewett scored for Tigers.

The Lower South East Hockey Association will host its presentations night on Saturday, September 3 at Blue Lake Sports Park from 6.30pm.