WAIS Hockey Athletes Help Diamonds Surge

Published On: 11 March 2009

Shelly Liddelow was a threat against Qld

WAIS hockey athletes have helped the SmokeFree WA Diamonds continue their strong start to the year, with most of last year’s grand final team in the starting line up for the big 5-1 win over Queensland.

Within three minutes WA had struck the lead when WAIS athlete Shelly Liddelow smacked the ball at a helpless goalkeeper as it ricocheted high into the net.

Queensland briefly took the ball to their end however strong defence particularly by WAIS athlete Kobie McGurk thwarted attempts to get into the circle.

A few minutes later a strong movement down the centre by Lisa Eglington was crossed to Liddelow who then passed to Chantelle Ciallella to score WA’s second.

Kate Denning and Fiona Boyce were active for WA, before Ciallella once again found herself in the right position at the right time to extend WA’s advantage.

Liddelow put WA further in front almost immediately, killing the match as a contest and wrapping up the points for the Diamonds before half-time.

The second half was more even as the Queensland defence settled. Korner was lightning fast on the wing but the WA defence manages to hold strong. The depth of the team was tested with the absence of injured full back Emily Halliday however they showed resilience.

WAIS’ Ashley Nelson worked well in the forward line with Ciallella and their passing nearly created another scoring opportunity but the last minute lunge by Ciallella went wide.

With seven minutes to go Tegan Holcroft ran down the wing and a cross eventuated in a penalty converted by Korner. This was Queensland’s only score.

With four minutes to go Liddelow sent a magnificent pass to Ashley Nelson which resulted in a crunching tackle from a Queensland defender, resulting in a penalty deflected in by Ciallella.

WA provided plenty of evidence to suggest that they will be the team to beat again in 2009.

Queensland produced a much more spirited display in the second match of their weekend double-header against the Diamonds, but still went down to a WAIS heavy WA side, 3-2.

WAIS athletes Hope Munro and Chantelle Ciallella shared the goals, with Ciallella scoring a brace to consolidate her fine early season form.