Redbacks took on West in a Saturday afternoon Lower South East Hockey Association division one women match played in bright sunshine at Blue Lake Sports Park.
Spectators were in for a treat as both teams were extremely evenly matched, making it an enthralling battle.
Redbacks had the ascendancy early, with Anna Mitchell menacing in the middle of the pitch and having the better of the early battle with a number of defenders.
Lauren Manser positioned herself perfectly for the touch in on the spot for a great goal off a short corner to take the lead for Redbacks.
It was short lived however, as Angela Broad again showed why she’s the league’s highest women’s goal scorer with a brilliant individual effort for West’s first goal, as she controlled an aerial kick out from the keeper to perfection before slamming it on the bounce into the backboard.
Redbacks again took the lead thanks to Steph Wighton, who was absolutely everywhere on the pitch, but again West fought back.
With a ball seemingly going safely over the backline, Broad somehow got the ball back into the face of goal, where Dana Jones slotted it home for the equaliser.
Redbacks had some chances in the third quarter including a three on one in the circle, but goalkeeper Lauren Smith played a terrific match and denied the Redbacks offence on a number of occasions.
The last quarter was a scoreless affair, with West pressing hard and Redbacks absorbing an enormous amount of pressure.
There were a few opportunities squandered by West but it was also terrific keeping by Rachel Curtis and resolute defending by Laura Vause, who impressed filling in for her side from a lower grade.
In the end it was a fitting 2-2 draw in a game that was entertaining throughout.
On Sunday Tigers travelled to Naracoorte to take on a red hot Naracoorte side fresh off consecutive convincing wins against Redbacks and Strikers.
Tigers knew the key players to mark after facing them in the State Country Championships final in Adelaide a few weeks ago, and their game plan was effective right from the get-go.
A great first quarter by Tigers saw them score early off two short corners thanks to Morgan Cooper and Kaitlyn Nisbet, who worked the variations to perfection to best the Naracoorte defence.
Cooper was controlling the game from sweeper and providing terrific forward drive for her side, and Brooke Marcus was in excellent form up forward, getting on the end of long balls and creating chances for her side.
The second quarter was again dominated by Tigers, with Tia Dedman and Billie Jones repelling anything that managed to come forward through key play makers Brooke Green and Amy Hunt.
Two more short corner conversions by Cooper and Nisbet saw a half time lead of 4-0, which was not expected coming into the match.
Naracoorte hit their straps and regained some control in a scoreless third quarter, creating a few chances on goal which required the calm head of young goalkeeper Arabelle Searle.
They won a couple of short corners but were unable to convert, thanks to quality defending and the immense pressure put on by speedster Olivia Turner as first runner.
The last quarter saw a consolation goal from Naracoorte through Jess Clutterbuck, who slipped into the right spot after Amy Hunt beat her defender and passed across for the goal.
Tigers however responded with two of their own, one a touch in for Abbey Hood after an excellent attacking play by Clare Hopgood, and the other to Lily McIntosh, who was perfectly positioned to touch in a ball after a beautiful run and unselfish pass by Brooke Marcus.
It was a terrific win for Tigers, who played a complete team game and showed a lot of poise and control in their passing all over the pitch.
