WA Diamonds in the Hunt for 2010 AHL Title

The Victorian Vipers capped off a productive weekend holding the SmokeFree Diamonds to a 1-1 draw in the final second round game of the Australian Hockey League at Perth Hockey Stadium.

The Vipers came into the game with renewed confidence having won their first game of the season against South Australia yesterday and got the perfect start when Georgia Nanscawen opened the scoring in the 12th minute. The Diamonds were quick out to block the initial penalty corner shot but the ball fell invitingly to Danielle Schubach whose shot was bundled over the line at the far post.

Surprised by the goal, the Diamonds pushed forward in search of a leveller but were continually thwarted by Stephanie Doutre. Schubach had a chance to double the advantage ten minutes later but was denied by Diamonds goalkeeper Kate Hubble not for the last time in the game.

WAIS scholarship holder Sian Nelson brought the teams back on level terms five minutes into the second half when a defenders stick lifted her penalty corner strike over the outstretched Racheal Lynch in the Vipers goal. The Diamonds lifted their intensity and forward pressure however the visitors created the better chances.Hubble was outstanding saving twice in a minute to keep the Vipers at bay.

Three penalty corners to the hosts in the final seven minutes failed to yield any return for the Diamonds.WAIS athlete Shelly Liddleow almost capitalised on a skill error from Megan Berriman in the closing stages but her shot trickled wide.

The draw sees the Diamonds drop one place to third, one point behind New South Wales who lost their first game today against new ladder leaders Queensland.

Earlier in the weekend:

The WA Diamonds scored a strong 5-1 win over Tasmania at the Perth Hockey Centre.

WAIS athletes Sian Nelson and Ashleigh Nelson both scored a brace whilst Hockeyroo AIS-WAIS athlete Shelley Liddelow rounded out the scoring.

The Diamonds were slick and showed too much ball movement for the Tasmanian outfit in the first half with Sian Nelson opening the scoring in the 16th minute before Ashleigh Nelson bagged her first goal of the game on 19 minutes.

WA reached the break with a 3-1 advantage and stepped up their offensive pressure in the second stanza to record two more goals to seal a 5-1 win that keeps the WA side firmly on track for a crack at the 2010 AHL title.

AIS-WAIS defender Kobie McGurk was named player of the match in an encouraging display from the 2008 Beijing Olympian – who is making a successful comeback from a recent knee injury.

– with Hockey WA