Sport

Benalla Hockey Club report

By Contributed

May 9, 2022

Sticking and smiling: Under-10 players Finn Thompson, Steele Adams, and Abbie and Teddy Thannhauser. Photo: Kelly Thannhauser

Stick 2 Hockey:

Benalla’s Stick 2 Hockey players enjoyed practising their dribbling and stopping skills with some fun games, including “Musical Hockey” with visiting coach Kirsty Welsman, from KBH Brumbies in Melbourne.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Kirsty engaged all players during a fun training, which included “Netball Hockey” and an obstacle course for the U12s and 14s, and some new drills for the U17s and Women.

Benalla Hockey Club president Lee Manning said she was rapt with the skill clinic and hoped there would be many more to come.

“Kirsty was fantastic! The club looks forward to bringing more skills clinics to Benalla this year, to help enhance everyone’s skills,” Manning said.

GVHA Hockey Round 2

U10s: Under-10 players Steele Adams, Abbie and Teddy Thannhauser, and Finn Thompson enjoyed Shepparton’s version of Stick 2 Hockey, then a practice match with Strikers.

I’ll take it from here: Under-12 player Mackenzie Mort steals from Mooroopna, with Jack in support. Photo: Kelly Thannhauser

U12s Benalla vs Mooroopna: All players improved on their game from last week. Good long passes and looking down the field to pass to team mates was seen throughout the match.

Alexander Orlov played goalie for the first time and did a great job defending the goals, well supported in defence by Hadassah Adams, Lily Stewart, Alida Ferguson and Mackenzie Mort.

Kobe Rawlings played a fabulous game on the wing and was involved in all of Benalla’s five goals, scoring two himself.

Jack Chittick was determined throughout the centre, and set up well for penalty corners. Angus Hayes and Xavier Kramer teamed up well for some long passes in to score three goals between them. Benalla won 5:2.

Goals: Angus 1, Xavier 2, Kobe 2. Coach’s award to Alida Ferguson.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Kobe Rawlins, 2 – Jack Chittick, 1 – Alexander Orlov.

At full stretch: Under-12 player Xavier Kramer chases down the ball. Photo: Kelly Thannhauser

U14s Mooroopna-Benalla vs Strikers: Benalla’s U14 players had a fast game against Strikers, with full backs Eli DeBona and Callum Thompson getting lots of penalty corner practice. Goalie Hamish Newton from Mooroopna was outstanding.

Lily Stewart and Sophie Winkler ran hard as half backs, and Erin Jenkins made some great intercepts as an inner. Strikers won 3:Nil.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Hamish Newton (GK), 2 – Eli DeBona, 1 – Abigail Vaivars.

U17s Mooroopna-Benalla vs Echuca: Benalla’s U17s have again combined with Mooroopna for 2022. Sarah Farley and Sophie Morton combine well in the midfield, while Charlie Grimwade and Kiah Atkinson are solid full backs.

Amber Armstrong and Lucia DeBona are stepping up into U17s and positioning well on the wing, with Lucia scoring Mooroopna’s first goal of the season! Echuca won 4:3.

Goals: Lucia 1, Jontae 2. Benalla Club award to Lucia DeBona.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Kiah Atkinson, 2 – Millar Carter, 1 – Sarah Farley.

Precise: Under-14 player Callum Thompson hits it forward. Photo: Lucia DeBona

B-Women Benalla-SYC vs Strikers: The B-Women settled into their game this week, with a solid win against Strikers.

Sophie Morton and Sarah Farley were dogged in their turnovers through the midfield, successfully pushing through to forwards Jess and Sue Trevaskis.

SYC players entertained with a fantastic goal in the second quarter, with a pass from Sue to Jess then down the right wing to Donna Turner who ran deep and hit hard across goals to Heather Peate to tap in behind the goalie for her first goal ever! Benalla won 4:3.

Goals: Sophie 1, Heather 1, Donna 1, Sue 1.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Jess Trevaskis, 2 – Prue White (GK), 1 – Sophie Morton.

All teams have a break this weekend, with the Hockey Victoria Junior Country Championships playing in Melbourne. Benalla is well represented in Goulburn Valley representative teams by: U13 – Lily, Erin, Angus and Xavier; U15 – Amber; U18 – Kiah and Charlie.

Good luck everyone.