Benalla Hockey Club report

By Contributed

May 23, 2022

Future stars: Under-12 players Mackenzie and Darcy Mort are enjoying their first year of hockey. Darcy gained the coaches award Sportspower voucher this week. Photo: Kylie Mort

GVHA Hockey Round 3

U12s Benalla vs SYC:

With the bare seven, Benalla held SYC off in the first half, with new player Bjorn McCulloch as a solid full back repelling many attacks in the circle.

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Darcy Mort also excelled in his first game, being a consistent fast presence on the ball as centre forward. Finn Thompson positioned well on the wing as Benalla’s third new starter.

Centre half Jack Chittick was a key player throughout, turning over many fast plays, with strong hits out to Kobi Rawlings flying down the wing.

Mackenzie Mort settled into the half back position, shutting down SYC’s wing in the goal circle.

Benalla scored the third goal from a penalty corner - hit in by Jack to Kobe, deflected by SYC then slammed into the goal corner by Jack.

Xavier Kramer was a magnificent first-time goalie, getting his feet to most balls, with only second or third attempts able to score for SYC, who won 10:1.

Goals: Jack 1. Coach’s award to Darcy Mort.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 Jack Chittick, 2 Xavier Kramer, 1 Kobe Rawlins.

U14s Mooroopna-Benalla vs GVGS Gold:

Benalla’s Jack Chittick and Xavier Kramer stepped up to U14, with both positioning well and running hard on the wings in a 9-a-side, evenly matched game against GVGS Gold.

Callum Thompson was great in defence, often meeting the ball up well before the 23m line.

Mooroopna’s first-time goalie Cameron Dundon showed real talent, repelling many good shots on goal. Riley Law and Mia Ponting teamed up well through the midfield, with Abbie Vaivars scoring late in the second half to earn the 1:1 draw.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 Riley Law, 2 Mia Ponting, 1 Audrey Mason.

B-Women Benalla-SYC vs Euroa:

The B-Women fought hard against a well-disciplined Euroa team, but the heat took its toll when a ball snuck past expert goalie Prue White late in the final quarter.

Centre half Sarah Farley really created Benalla’s play through the midfield, teaming well with inners Jess Trevaskis and Amber Armstrong who pushed through to centre forward Sue Trevaskis.

Sue’s multiple big hits through to goal were constantly thwarted by Euroa’s goalie Chris Chittick, with the pair having competed against each other for many decades in Shepparton! Benalla lost 0:1.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 Jess Trevaskis, 2 Amber Armstrong, 1 Sarah Farley.