The 17th round of the Lower South East Hockey Association season was played over the weekend, with teams ready to launch one last blow before finals.
In the men’s Division 1 league the biggest title contenders faced off in a thrilling battle on Sunday afternoon.
The top of the table Tigers took on Strikers and after four tight quarters, nothing could separate the rivals with the scoreboard locked 1-1.
Tigers’ Isaac Stubberfield and Strikers’ Greg Dol broke through for their respective teams.
It is the fourth consecutive draw between the teams and sets up a tantalising battle for the trophy.
Tigers should wrap up its position at the top of the table on 56 points in its final-round clash against Redbacks.
This weekend Strikers face the tricky task of meeting West, which celebrated a 6-0 win over Redbacks on Saturday night
Chris Calliss was the star, scoring three of his team’s goals.
He was joined by Brayden Burston who scored a double, while Oscar Olsen also beat Redbacks’ defence.
West will take confidence into their potential rematch with Redbacks in the first round of the finals, where the third positioned team takes on the fourth positioned team.
But first, West meets second-placed Strikers in the final minor round of the season on Saturday afternoon.
The fight between the ladder leaders in the women’s Division 1 competition went down to the wire as West and Redbacks went blow for blow on Saturday afternoon.
Although the minor premiership was out of reach, Redbacks sent a statement after Jemma Heraper scored the only goal of the game.
The teams are only separated by a point at the top of the division one women’s league, with West on 53 points and Redbacks on 52 points.
After navigating round 18 this weekend, both will meet again next week in their first finals match with plenty to prove.
Meanwhile, Strikers took on the Tigers in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Chloe Boylan, Brooklyn Hill and Scarlett Creek grabbed a goal each for Strikers.
However, Lauren Montgomery, Emma Ryan and Kaitlyn Nisbet did the same for Tigers.
Following Tigers and Strikers’ respective games against West and Redbacks, the pair will face-off again next week in their first finals match.
