As the competition heats up in the Geraldton hockey season with finals on the horizon, there were mixed results over rounds 15 and 16.
Australs Hockey Club celebrated a flawless round 15, securing victories in all grades. However, round 16 brought mixed results the Australs teams. While the A-grade men lost to Rovers, the women prevailed with a victory over Saints.
In round 15 in women’s A-grade, Australs dominated Swans 5-0. Australs goalkeeper Dirranie Kirby was solid, ensuring a clean sheet for her team.
Jenna Johnson delivered a hat-trick, continuing her stellar season.
“Goals are attained not by strength but by perseverance. That’s what we did to win this one,” Johnson said after the game.
Cardinals also put in a strong performance, defeating Yacht Club 4-0. Meanwhile, the match between Saints and Murchison ended in a 1-1 draw.
Casuals remain on top of the ladder with only one defeat all season, but Australs’ late-season surge threatens their position for the minor premiership.
In round 16 Australs had back-to-back wins. Two more goals from the in-form Johnson helped the side ease to victory. Cardinals dominated Swans with an 11-0 rout, highlighted by four goals from Jessica Giudice-Nairn.
In the round 15 A-reserve women’s games, Cardinals played out an exciting draw against Yacht Club Blue. Australs emulated their A-grade counterparts with a 1-0 victory over Vets, while Murchison struggled against an enthusiastic Yacht Club Gold team, losing 2-0.
Moving into round 16, both Murchison versus Australs and Vets versus Cardinals clashed ended in goalless draws. Saints secured a 3-1 win over Yacht Club Gold and the Gold Yacht Club ladies achieved an impressive 2-1 victory over Swans.
In round 15 men’s A-grade, the Australs/Yacht Club team defeated a determined Murchison side 3-1. Saints lost to Rovers 2-0, marking only their second defeat of the season.
Despite this Saints remain at the top of the ladder, closely followed by Casuals in second place.
In the men’s A-reserve games, Australs completed a clean sweep for the club, beating Casuals 3-2, while Rovers and Yacht Club played to a draw.
Round 16 brought a reversal of fortunes in the men’s games, with Australs going down to Rovers 1-0, thanks to a single goal from Mat Hoefhamer. Saints secured their top ladder spot with a close win against second-placed Casuals.
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