The Smokefree WA Thundersticks flexed their muscle in a powerful display against the OAMPS Southern Hotshots in round three of the Australian Men’s Hockey League.
The Hotshots were forced to play without star striker Grant Schubert due to injury, but none of the local crowd were quite expecting what would take place in the first half.
The damage started in the very first minute when WAIS athletes Trent Mitton and Travis Taylor combined wonderfully along the backline, eliminating three defenders before Taylor put the ball into the open net.
In the eighth minute WA doubled their lead after WAIS scholarship holder Matthew Boyce was able to find himself free inside the circle and easily slid the ball past Hotshots keeper Kent Haigh on the reverse stick.
Two minutes later the Thundersticks struck again through Trent Mitton. Mitton would score again in the 12th minute after some more fluent and precision play from the Thundersticks.
WA captain and Kookaburras World Cup winner Fergus Kavanagh (AIS-WAIS) added more pain in the 17th minute when his reverse stick shot from a tight angle somehow found its way into the net.
The clinical first half display from WA was completed in the 19th minute when Alastair Park found himself open in the circle and was able to slap the ball over the advancing goal keeper.
The Thundersticks had many more opportunities for the remainder of the half, however would take a stunning 6-0 lead into the break leaving the home crowd quiet.
The Hotshots hoped to gain something out the game with an improved effort in the second half, looking forward for the rest of the championships.
WA however would dampen their spirits further in the 41st minute when Mitton completed his hat-trick after a wonderful set-piece from outside the circle. Mitton finished nicely on the reverse stick, chipping the ball over the goal keeper and into the net.
To their credit the OAMPS Southern Hotshots played with much greater vigour and determination for the remainder of the match and were able to create chances and pressure on the WA side. It proved too little too late, but would be pleasing for the SA coach going forward.
Thundersticks coach David Bell (WAIS men’s hockey coach) said he was pleased with his team’s performance over the weekend and said the first half was reward for their hard work. He is focused on improving his team for the next round in many critical areas, including the penalty corners.
Despite the loss the Hotshots will be looking to bounce back in the next round, whilst the Thundersticks will now be one of the hot contenders for the championship.
– Hockey Australia
