Knights 4 d Sticks 1

With summer sports still finishing up, both Knights and Sticks were short of players in the season opener. However, there were still plenty of encouraging signs for the future of Eurobodalla Hockey with an increased number of juniors who had made the step up to the senior grade among those who took the field. Jazzie Zabel and Ellen Hosking had a tight battle on the left side of the field early in the first half before the first goal of the season was fittingly scored for Knights by club president Ros Smith.

Sticks found themselves under a ton of pressure in the first half and struggled to move the ball forward into their attacking 25 yard area.

Brodie Galvin returned to the competition after a year in New Zealand and despite playing in the unfamiliar wing position, she marked the occasion by scoring Knights’ second goal. Two more goals in the first half by Sarah Gardner and Maddie Zabel gave knights an unassailable half time lead.

Sticks put up a much better showing in the second half with Paula Fry and Karen Senior proving to be a handful for Knights’ defence. Their combination on the left side of the field resulted in Sticks

getting on the scoreboard with Senior slotting home a goal. One positive Sticks could take from the match was they at least managed to win the second half, but it was not enough with Knights hanging on for a 4-1 victory.

Both Knights and Sticks are looking for a goalkeeper. Anyone interested should contact Ros Smith on 0428 995 585.

Best and fairest for Knights went to Elaine Crapp (3 points), Brodie Galvin (2 points) and Sarah Gardner. (1 point). Best and fairest for Sticks went to Julie Challice (3 points), Karen Senior (2 points) and Bronwyn Glyde (1 point).

Wanderers 2 d Tigers 0

The second game of the day saw Wanderers up against last year’s premiers Tigers. Wanderers have a cast of thousands on paper but could only manage eight players for Saturday while Tigers were also under strength with regular goalkeeper Bec Winter forced to don a skirt after a mishap left her with an injured toe.

The game started off as an even affair with Tigers having more of the early attack. Wanderers being notoriously slow starters took some time to find their rhythm. It was not until mid way through the half that Wanderers began to gain the upper hand.

Therese Pot had enough scoring chances to sink a ship but spent more time horizontal than vertical. However she eventually managed to find the backboards to give Wanderers a 1-0 advantage.

Tigers put up a brave fight and were still only the one goal down well into the second half before Sarah Misko showed her customary speed to slot in Wanderers’ second goal.

Tigers’ Louise Shilling was doing an impressive job of clearing the ball out of defence but the lack of speedy forward in the Tigers line up meant there was no-one to capitalise on some of her powerful hits. Janeene Michelle missed a golden opportunity late on that saw the match finish 2-0 in Wanderers’ favour. The result was a fitting celebration for Wanderers’ Angie Brooks who was celebrating her birthday.

The Wanderers’ victory showed they will be difficult opposition for all teams this season with the return of Jill Turner and Sarah Misko sure to boost their attack and result in an increase in scoring opportunities.

Meanwhile, Tigers are on the lookout for two or three players to bolster their playing roster. Anyone interested should contact Bec Winter on 0406 904 781.

Best and fairest for Tigers went to Louise Shilling (3 points), Jenny Zutt (2 points) and Rebecca Winter (1 point). Best and fairest for Wanderers went to Jill Turner (3 points), Sarah Misko (2 points) and Nicole Williams (1 point).

A reminder that a $25 deposit must be paid before any player takes the field or fees can be paid in full. All paperwork must also be completed before playing.