Tight top-grade action in round 14 of Geraldton Hockey Association

It was tight top-grade action in week 14 of the Geraldton Hockey Association as Murchison continued their good recent form to hold the second-placed Saints to a scoreless draw in the Friday night clash.

After only picking up one point in their first five rounds Murchison have now picked up six points in the next five including getting their first win to prove they are no easy beats.

In the Saturday games Casuals were pushed by Rovers in their 2-1 win as Brad Delane and Peter Cottle ensured the Casuals remained unbeaten despite Jayden Valenti’s goal for Rovers.

Australs and Yacht Club battled out for a one-all draw which sees them stay in fourth and fifth respectively.

In the women’s A-grade on Friday the Cardinals increased their advantage at the top with an easy 4-1 over the second-placed Australs with Gemma Dix getting a hat-trick.

Murchison were too strong for the winless Swans with a 4-0 victory as Abbie Stribley picked up a double with singles for Darcie Newman and Alyssa Piper.

The men’s A-reserve had double-header action throughout the week as Casuals won twice, beating Rovers 4-2 on Tuesday night as a Darren Sheppley double proved to be the difference before he scored the only goal in the Saturday game in their victory of Yacht Club.

Rovers bounced back from their loss to thrash Murchison 8-0 with a hat-trick to Mac Hoefhamer and a double for Shapen Palmer.

Murchison also suffered a 5-nil loss at the hands of the Saints on Tuesday night in a tough week.

On Thursday the women’s A-reserves had plenty of goals as Cardinals beat Australs 3-0 with two goals to Meg Cinnani and one to Maggie Rutter.

Murchison put seven past the struggling Vets as Christy Rock and Lesley Yates both scored doubles to help them keep pressure on the two Saints teams above them.

Saints Black avoided a scare against the winless Swans winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Charlene Miller and Lisa Norris with Linda Puglia scoring for the Swans.

Saints Gold had a comfortable 3-0 win over Yacht Club as Chelsea Bradburn scored all three goals.