Diamonds Draw Blank with ACT

The Smokefree WA Diamonds and the Canberra Labor Club Strikers took to the field in their Pool A clash at the State Hockey Centre in Adelaide.

Canberra started the game well, applying plenty of pressure to the Diamonds team and did not allow them to settle into any set rhythm.

The Strikers were also able to apply some attacking pressure of their own, earning the first penalty corner of the game in the fifth minute. The direct strike from the corner was nicely saved, and Nic Arrold flashed the rebound high over the net.

Although the Diamonds were not playing their best hockey of the week they were still able to generate some chances and were assisted by some sloppy defensive errors by the strikers which allowed some chances, including some attacking corners in the first half.

The Strikers were able to hold their nerve however and went into the break level and would have been very pleased with their first half.

To start the second half of the play the Strikers seemed to once again be able to pressure the Diamonds into mistakes.

Canberra Labor Club Strikers forward Catriona Bailey-Price was outstanding up front, and the battle between her and Diamonds defender Kobie McGurk (AIS-WAIS) was enthralling to watch.

The game flowed from end to end for the entire second half and only thanks to some desperate defending from both sides the scores remained locked away until the end of the game.

Both teams will now head into Friday looking for that final win as positions now tighten up heading in to the last two games.

– Hockey Australia