AHL Title Hopes Dashed for WA
WA’s title hopes in the 2018 Australian Hockey League have been dashed by NSW opponents in both men’s and women’s competitions as finals week commenced on the Gold Coast.
Both WA teams were overwhelmed by oppositions fielding impressive reserves of Kookaburra and Hockeyroo representation.
WA Thundersticks 2 (Frazer 18′, Coby Green 57′) NSW Waratahs 10 (K. Govers 7′, T. Craig 29′, Brand 33′, 33′, Hayes 35′, Lovett 36′, Ogilvie 50′, B. Govers 59′ PP, 59′)
A fast-paced clash at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre on Thursday evening saw the NSW Waratahs defeat the Western Australia Thundersticks 10-2.
Led by a strong contingent of Kookaburras, the Waratahs never trailed after scoring their first goal in the sixth minute of the match.
Bags of multiple goals from Tim Brand and Blake Govers helped push the Waratahs to an important win which will see them take on Canberra in Saturday’s semi-final.
Kieran Govers opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he made himself open in the attacking D, he settled and nailed a powerful shot past fellow Kookaburra Tyler Lovell. Lovell got some revenge though, sending the conversion shot flying and saving a goal on the scoreboard.
In their first penalty corner opportunity of the matchvthe Thundersticks opted for the dragflick over taking the ball out of the D for a field goal opportunity and it paid off. Frazer Gerrard rocketed a shot past Waratahs keeper Ash Thomas to level the score.
Tim Brand popped up in the 23rd minute of the match, getting on the end of a long pass and shooting at goal only to be denied by Lovell.
Late in the Thundersticks’ PumpPlay the ball found its way bouncing into the path of Tom Craig who was able to skilfully loop the ball over Lovell’s head in the 29th minute of the match. The West Australian keeper took out his frustration during the conversion opportunity, brilliantly defending until the shot timer ran out.
Still looking for his first goal, Brand sparked a NSW onslaught with a slick field goal and conversion off a Flynn Ogilvie assist in the 33rd minute.
The Waratahs added another two goals in as many minutes through Jack Hayes and Kurt Lovett. Hayes’ goal came via a penalty corner while Lovett ran the length of the pitch, beating his opponent and slamming home the goal. Lovell defended the conversion chance beautifully.
Spurred by Kookaburras Jake Harvie and Aran Zalewski, the Thundersticks threw themselves at the Waratahs defence trying to break through. Despite having a number of chances close to goal, the Western Australians were unable to impact the scoreboard.
In the 50th minute the Waratahs were able to counterattack, using the momentum to find Flynn Ogilvie close to home. Ogilvie swept the ball past Lovell for a goal but was unable to beat the keeper in their one-on-one conversion opportunity.
The Waratahs PumpPlay initially freed up the flow of the game to the advantage of the Thundersticks who were able to hit the scoreboard by way of a field goal to Coby Green in the 57th minute. Green was unable to beat Thomas in the conversion chance.
With just one minute remaining Blake Govers was able to hit the scoreboard from the field for double points thanks to the PumpPlay. After barrelling his way into attack and scoring, Blake Govers was able to go back and take advantage of the conversion chance leaving the final score at 10-2 in the Waratahs’ favour.
The Waratahs will now face off against Canberra in Saturday’s semi-final while the Thundersticks will take on South Australia in a classification match.
NSW Arrows 6 (Jenner 11′, 28′, Smith 31′, 31′, Stewart 34′) WA Diamonds 0
The NSW Arrows have qualified for the AHL semi-finals after comfortably accounting for the WA Diamonds 6-0 in rainy conditions on the Gold Coast on Thursday night.
The Arrows will face the Victoria Vipers in Saturday’s semis from 2pm (AEST).
Kate Jenner opened the scoring from a drag flick from an 11st minute short corner.
Jessica Watterson almost doubled NSW’s lead in the 16th minute when she found space inside the D but was blocked by a WA defender.
WA’s Line Malan deflected Rachel Frusher’s 23rd minute slider wide of the target from a penalty corner.
Jenner capped off a nice move, drifting forward, to convert from close range during NSW’s PumpPlay to make it 3-0 late in the first half.
WA keeper Aleisha Power smothered well to deny her conversion attempt.
NSW captain Emily Smith combined well with fellow Hockeyroo Grace Stewart to add another in the second minute after half-time. Smith coolly scored her conversion to make it 5-0.
Stewart got a goal of her own in the 34th minute but Power again thwarted her from the conversion.
-HockeyAustralia