AHL Round Two

WA has endured a difficult weekend in round two of the women’s Australian Hockey League after a 2-0 defeat against Victoria followed a 2-2 draw with Canberra, leaving last year’s champions in sixth place.

Desperate to break Victoria’s winning streak, the WA Diamonds tested Victorian goal keeper Ashlee Wells early, who was up to the challenge, pulling off two great saves in a row to keep the home side in the contest.

WA continued to attack early in the first half and when key Victorian player Claire Messent suffered a game-ending injury following a contest in the Diamond’s attacking circle, the away side looked likely to score the opener.

However, the Vipers began to gain the ascendency later in the half and Stephanie Riordan deflected a well-executed pass into the circle to give the home side a one-goal advantage.

Playing with plenty of confidence the Vipers controlled the remainder of the half and when Victorian Hockeyroo Georgia Nanscawen converted a 35th minute penalty corner the WA Diamonds went into half time with a big task ahead.

The Vipers controlled the game for a scoreless second half with the home side running out 2-0 winners.

Earlier-

The Canberra Labor Club Strikers earned their first point in the 2011 AHL with a hard fought draw against the WA Diamonds in game one of round two at the State Netball Hockey Centre in Melbourne.

Two goals within 20 minutes had Canberra full of confidence until AIS-WAIS scholarship holder and Hockeyroos international Kobie McGurk pulled a goal back from a powerful hit off a WA penalty corner in the 32nd minute.

Both sides came into the game with a point to prove as they currently sat outside the top four. WA were within touching distance of NSW and QLD in fourth and third positions respectively and Canberra were determined to show they had the necessary class to launch an attack on finals.

Canberra came out powerfully and their intensity paid off as their constant attack on the WA circle paid off with a goal from Stacey Michelsen coming in only the fifth minute.

The game was evenly fought and this showed at the end of an enthralling match. The 2-2 draw result reflected, the chances that both teams had at both ends of the field and on the balance of play a draw was the fair result.

– Hockey Victoria