GVHA Hockey round 5
Under-12 Benalla vs Strikers:
The Benalla Tigers played with the bare seven this week and all did a great job in a fast and furious game against Strikers.
Annie Ferguson played her first game as goalie, stopping a lot of goals throughout the game, including a fast attack of three in a row in the final minutes.
Bjorn McCulloch did a great job as half-back, stopping some crucial plays and following the ball back, backed up by Steele Adams as full-back.
Jack Chittick returned to the team and was able to move the ball down the wing to help Benalla go into attack. Abbie Thannhauser stepped up from the under-10s again and positioned well for some great runs on the right wing.
Xavier Kramer and Angus Hayes worked tirelessly all game, getting the stick in to defend the Striker’s strongest players. Benalla came out a much more united team for the second half, but unfortunately was unable to secure a win.
Coach’s award: Bjorn McCulloch.
Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Steele Adams, 2 – Abbie Thannhauser, 1 – Angus Hayes & Annie Ferguson.
Under-14
Mooroopna-Benalla vs Echuca:
The under-14s played a strong game against Echuca in Echuca, holding it to nil all partway through the first half.
Half-backs Sophie Winkler and Riley Law took most of Mooroopna’s free hits, passing towards open players.
Mia Ponting did lots of strong tackles against some of Echuca’s best players whilst Abigail had fast sprints from one end of the field to the other with Lachie, Cameron, Erin Jenkins and Jarrod helping her to score two goals.
Full-backs Callum Thompson and Lily Stewart worked hard stopping balls from getting to goalie Hamish who got rid of lots as always.
Mooroopna-Benalla held Echuca to just three goals while not being far behind on two.
Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Abigail Vaivars, 2 – Mia Ponting, 1 – Riley Law.
Under-17
Mooroopna-Benalla vs Echuca
The under-17s also travelled to Echuca, for a tough game against the home team.
Kiah Atkinson was a force to be reckoned with, skilfully tackling and forcing errors to push up into the Mooroopna-Benalla circle, earning her Most Valuable Player.
Amber Armstrong also forced many turnovers, linking in with Sarah Farley and Sophie Morton on some great forward runs.
Echuca shared its four goals around, with Mooroopna-Benalla unable to score.
Benalla Club award: Kiah Atkinson.
Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Kiah Atkinson, 2 – Millar Carter, 1 – Tate Gawne.
B Women
Benalla-SYC vs Euroa:
The B Women had a fun but tense game against Euroa, with all goals scored in the final quarter.
Kiah Atkinson was strong in defence, belting the ball down the wing to Heidi Perry and Mel Gillies.
A penalty corner save by Atkinson ended with returning SYC player Katrina Brown scoring the first goal for the game.
Euroa retaliated, forcing multiple penalty corners and finally scoring two goals, with Lee Manning saving a potential third goal right on the line in the final minutes. Euroa won 2:1.
Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Kiah Atkinson, 2 –Sophie Morton, 1 – Amber Armstrong.
No GVHA games this weekend due to Senior Country Championships in Melbourne and Geelong.