The WA Diamonds have missed out on a fourth consecutive Australian Hockey League crown after it was defeated by the Queensland Scorchers in a penalty shoot-out in a thrilling semi-final match in Melbourne.
The match was drawn 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra-time after WAIS athlete and Diamonds captain Kobie McGurk had scored with minutes remaining to send the clash into a thrilling finale.
The Diamonds headed into the match as firm favourites, having shown regular glimpses of their best form that had seen them win three consecutive titles from 2006. But Queensland threw an early assault and was rewarded with the lead and produced a stubborn rearguard effort that looked as if it would book the Scorchers a passage into the grand final.
The match was decided by the goal keeping brilliance of Carla Hunter, who made crucial saves in the shoot-out enabled the Scorchers to set their sights on a grand final meeting with the NSW Arrows who accounted for the Canberra Strikers.
Two goals in five minutes secured third place for theDiamonds as they cruised to victory over theCanberra Strikers in the third-place play-off of the Women’s Australian Hockey League.
After a mild and cautious first half where the action centred on the middle of the pitch neither side was able to produce the opener and while the ball whisked by the goals numerous times, the score remained deadlocked for the entire half.
Following a gruelling week, third place was up for grabs with the Strikers showing plenty of determination but the Diamonds, ultimately showing the class. WA finally scored through WAIS athlete Jemma Buckley in the 53rd minute and McGurk sealed the win five minutes later, ensuring the Diamonds finished their campaign on a positive note.
