West made it six on the trot with a 1-0 victory over rivals Redbacks in the 2022 Lower South East Hockey Association Division 1 women’s grand final at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday night.
With West determined to defend its crown and Redbacks equally as committed to return to the top and get revenge for last year, the stage was set for a great battle.
Redbacks had their chances early in the first half and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession through midfielders Steph Wighton and Anna Mitchell, but the solid defence from West’s Carly Emmerson and goalie Chrissy Jachammer kept them out.
Redbacks were wisely marking leading goal scorer Ange Broad closely and kept her quiet for much of the first half.
Young sisters Jade and Shae Delaney tussled with the likes of Lily Deleland and Tess Kenesely in a great show of the junior talent of both clubs.
However, after a scoreless first half the game needed a goal and it finally came from one of the most experienced players on the field in Ashlea Dunn in the third quarter.
Redbacks threw everything at it in the dying minutes but were unable to find the equaliser, with West continuing their dynasty with a 1-0 win.
The Division 2 match was a tight tussle between Tigers and Naracoorte in a match that could have gone either way.
Against the flow of play Tigers scored the opener, with two seconds on the clock, when the most experienced players in the team Shelley Carne and Teena McKee set up 14-year-old Clare Hopgood, who showed a cool head to nail the goal into the far corner to lead at the first break.
Tigers defended resolutely but were living dangerously giving away too many short corners and Naracoorte finally made them pay, converting two to take a lead in the final quarter.
Tigers looked dead and buried but in the dying seconds there was controversy to come, as the yellow and black thought a brilliant last gasp goal had forced overtime.
But the goal was overturned after the buzzer much to the disappointment of the strong Tigers crowd.
It meant Naracoorte took home the prize with a 2-1 victory with best on ground awarded to Gayle Ellis.
The Division 3 match saw Cavaliers take on Tigers in the misty rain.
But the weather did not stop a rampant Cavaliers side to put five goals past Tigers to secure the premiership 5-1.
Isabel Ladner was named best on ground with two goals and a high-quality performance.
Strikers continued their junior girls dominance with wins in both the Under 12 and 15 matches.
In the Under 15’s Strikers took a 2-0 lead into half time, however Tigers switched on in the break and reeled them back in, forcing an overtime golden goal.
With both sides missing some chances it was looking destined for one on ones again until Strikers broke Tigers hearts, scoring with 37 seconds on the clock to claim victory.
Brooklyn Hill was best on ground for Strikers.
In the Under 12 girls Strikers finished their unbeaten season in style, with a 3-0 victory.
Tigers held them scoreless for the first half with terrific defensive pressure from Lucy Hopgood and Lottie Kain.
But the pressure got too much and they scored all three goals in a 10 minute burst.
One a piece went to Rubi Watson, Monique Shepherd and Tahlia Maynard, while Jada Copping was named best of ground for Strikers in a well-earned victory.
