Strong Start for Diamonds and Thundersticks in AHL Opening Games

The WA Diamonds and WA Thundersticks have had a successful start to their 2016 Australian Hockey League fixtures with both teams winning in the opening round 4-1.

Competition began yesterday at the Perth Hockey Stadium where the Western Australian women’s team, the WA Diamonds, took on the Canberra Strikers.

The Diamonds applied the pressure right from the opening whistle, holding off the Strikers attacking efforts.

In the 11th minute of the game WA’s Annie Gibbs scored a close range shot in order to give her team the lead.

This was then followed up with a penalty corner conversion by Penny Squibb in the second quarter.

The third quarter saw the Strikers fight back bringing the goal margin back to one.

Despite their efforts the Diamonds proved too strong with Kyra Flynn and Penny Squibb scoring a further two goals, helping the side come away with a 4-1 victory.

After a convincing win by the women’s side the men, the WA Thundersticks, took on the Canberra Lakers.

The Lakers started the game in fine form, however it was the Western Australian side who were first to convert with Daniel Rayney scoring the first goal of the game.

The third quarter was where the Thundersticks began to dominate, taking another two goals thanks to Justin McDougall and Matthew Bird.

The Canberra team came out fighting in the fourth quarter where their captain, Andrew Monte, scored their first goal of the match, in the 56th minute.

This effort was cancelled out by Tom Wickham less than a minute later helping the Western Australian’s take out the game 4-1.

Both teams are scheduled to compete in their second matches this afternoon where the Diamonds will take on the Queensland Scorchers and the Thundersticks will take on Malaysia Blue.