Thundersticks Roar into Finals Week

The WA Thundersticks will enter finals week in prime confidence after defeating Tasmania and New South Wales in their final group stage matches of the 2011 AHL season.

The Thundersticks eighth and final group match against NSW was highlighted by the fine finishing of AIS-WAIS athlete Trent Mitton who scored three goals in WA’s 4-2 win.

The match began at a frantic pace as both teams looked to stamp their authority on the game. Played at a phenomenal speed, the physicality wasn’t lacking either, great work rate and determination was evident from all.

Seven minutes into the half a soft turnover by NSW allowed WA to attack down the left hand side, outnumbered the Waratahs defence was unable to prevent a shot which was saved. The rebound fell to Western Australian forward Trent Mitton who opened the scoring for the Thundersticks.

Western Australia struggled to find any space in the NSW half, the Waratahs fall away press condensing any space available. Matt Wark tackled well twice to eliminate the WA attacking threat. The game was being played from end to end with both teams adopting a counter attacking style of play. The Thundersticks were looking the more likely to score, a couple of shots narrowly going past the post.

After weathering the Thundersticks storm NSW pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Attacking with speed and skill the Waratahs earned a penalty corner which was flicked back in the direction of the injector Mark Paterson to sweep home. With the scores level NSW appeared to take confidence from the goal and pressed aggressively forcing turnovers in their attacking 25.

This left NSW short at the back and with two minutes remaining in the half the Thundersticks broke quickly, a fantastic save from NSW goalkeeper Daniel McPherson ensuring the scores were still level at the half time break.

The second half began with NSW continuing to look dangerous in attack, a penalty corner attempt saved brilliantly by Western Australia goalkeeper Tristan Clemons (WAIS) denying Matthew Butturini a certain goal and a last ditch diving tackle from the Western Australia full back preventing the Waratahs from taking the lead.

Western Australia responded to the NSW pressure in the best possible fashion, a misplaced pass from NSW gifted the Thundersticks possession, a hit in from the left hand side was brilliantly deflected into the goal from an acute angle by forward Trent Mitton. Two minutes later the Thundersticks added another, Andrew Jacobs on hand to tap in at the back post following a well worked build up.

The Waratahs lifted for a period before Western Australia took control, keeping the ball well and denying NSW possession.

With three minutes remaining NSW pulled a goal back to set up a thrilling finish, Josh Miller applying the final touch to a scramble in the circle following a penalty corner. In search of an equaliser and competition point, NSW committed extra numbers forward, Adam Imer with a great chance which was closed down well by the Thundersticks goalkeeper who was out quickly to prevent the shot.

Western Australia exposed the space left in the NSW defence and in the dying seconds of the game scored a fourth. Trent Mitton completing his hat trick with a very well placed tomahawk. The final score Western Australia 4 NSW 2.

Western Australia coach Chris O’Rielly admitted he was pleased with the performance against NSW.

“Our forwards put a lot of pressure on NSW and forced enough turnovers that we were able to set up our scoring opportunities. Sam Pike, Daniel Sampey and Trent Mitton played brilliantly tonight and we were rewarded with four good goals on the scoreboard. Tonight we improved our overall ball movement, right across the pitch and put ourselves into positive positions. We were composed under pressure and fought for this win.”

Earlier:

The WA Thundersticks stepped up their 2011 AHL campaign with a strong 6-3 win over Tasmania.

The game began at a fast pace with both teams turning over possession on more occasions than they would have liked. As the half progressed, Western Australia began to look the more likely to score however Tasmania continued to create opportunities on the break. The game went from end to end as both teams struggled to apply the finish, shooting just wide of the target.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 20th minute when WA’s Craig Boyne (WAIS) put the finish to a well worked move. The goal appeared to spark WA into action as they scored twice in the next ten minutes, a Sam Pike field goal and Brent Dancer (WAIS) penalty corner moving the score to 3-0 in favour of the Thundersticks.

With their backs to the wall, Tasmania responded, a goal either side of the break saw them claw back to within a goal. Penalty corner goals from Phil Marshall and Geoff Cock, breathing life into the wounded Tigers. In search of an equaliser, Tasmania put together several exciting passages of play but lacked quality in the final ball.

It was WA however who were to score next, two goals in two minutes all but ending hope of a Tassie comeback, Alistair Park and Craig Boyne both scoring field goals following a sustained period of possession.

Dougal Middleton capped a great performance for Tasmania scoring a field goal with three minutes remaining, the midfielder presented well for the ball throughout the game. That wasn’t to be the end of the scoring, Kookaburra and Western Australian Trent Mitton scoring a field goal in the final stages. The final score Western Australia 6 defeating Tasmania 3.

WA Thundersticks coach Chris O’Reilly pleased with the final score, but wary of celebrating too early as his team comes to terms with their unsettled preparation due to numerous squad members being away on national duties during the final weeks of preparation for the domestic league.

“We’ll gather momentum over the next 2-3 games”, O’Reilly said. Our lines were a little scrappy, we just didn’t connect well today. We play NSW tomorrow afternoon and we’ll need to switch on to maintain our ladder position going into the Pool games on Tuesday.”

Tassie Tigers’ coach Glenn Freeman was not terribly fazed by the scoreline, knowing that his side did well in the face of a well-structured unit such as WA. “We defended the attacks lead by WA, particularly their numerous penalty corners. These next few days will be our chance to get our structure right, as it’s been six weeks since we last played as a team. Dougal Middleton was presenting well up front on so many occasions, we just need to finish our final pass and we’ll find him on the spot every time”, Freeman said.

-Hockey WA