The Lower South East Hockey Association will crown a new Division 1 men premiership side next Saturday afternoon, after Tigers’ tilt at five in a row was extinguished by West in a penalty shoot-out in the semi-final.
Tigers had a goal controversially disallowed in the second quarter, but when Brady Cooper made the most of a West defensive error and scored in the third term it was looking on track for Tigers.
Yellow cards were flowing as players got tired and tackles got more desperate, with both Connor Grant for Tigers and Chris Callis for West both carded for their indiscretions.
West kept pressing and with two minutes to go converted a short corner to put the game into extra time.
Both sides played cautiously in golden goal extra time and without a goal it was down to one on ones for a second week in a row to see who would face Strikers in the big one.
After the allotted five penalties both sides were locked at two goals apiece and golden goal came into effect.
Lochie Nisbet for Tigers hit the post on his attempt, which left David Vine the hero for West as he converted easily to send his side through.
The Division 2 men’s semi-final also went to a penalty shoot-out, with Cavaliers and Tigers Yellow locked at 1-1 after full time.
Both goalies dominated the strikers in the shoot-out, with Tigers youngster BJ Howard only allowing two out of five to score.
However, he was bettered by Cavs who only allowed the one goal by Tom Howard to claim victory 2-1.
Division 3 men was won by Redbacks, whose solitary goal was enough to move past West and give them another shot at Tigers in the grand final on Friday night.
In the Under 15 boys west defeated Tigers 1-0 to book their way into a grand final against Redbacks/Cavs.
Strikers scored the winning goal in the last two minutes of the Under 12 boys contest.
It ensured the side took the win 2-1 over Redbacks and book a place against Tigers in next weeks final.
The fight to stay alive in the Division 1 women’s competition provided an epic battle between two closely matched sides in Tigers and West.
The first half was scoreless with an enthralling contest between midfield stars Sarah Mutch for West and Olivia Turner for Tigers.
Dana Jones provided spark for West up forward and created chances for her team.
But she was held well by sister Billie Jones who has been a rock for Tigers all year at fullback.
It was not until the third quarter West broke the deadlock, when Gemma Ballantyne converted a short corner.
Tigers did not give up, but West held firm in defence and used their vast experience to wind down the clock and secure the win.
In the Division 2 women, West was close to their best to score two early goals against Naracoorte, who just could not find the back of the net.
West will look to carry that form into the grand final against Tigers, who will go in favourites to defend their title after another strong season.
West looked fantastic early in the Division 3 women’s contest and scored first against minor premiers tigers.
Tigers however found their groove in the second quarter and two quick goals calmed the nerves and allowed them to play their style of game.
Hayley Crowe starred with all five goals in the victory.
Tigers played its best match of the Under 15 girls season to cause an upset and defeat Redbacks 2-0.
In a high-quality junior match tigers scored early and from their looked to hold on, until Clare Hopgood and Laura Doll combined for a brilliant second goal to Tigers which calmed their nerves and helped them run out the game without conceding.
In the under 12 girls West defeated Redbacks 1-0 and will be looking to try and inflict the first defeat of the season for Strikers next week in the grand final.
