The last round of the junior season saw all of Benalla’s teams continue to improve and play some fantastic hockey.
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Under 12 vs SCC
In a nail-biting game Benalla’s Under 12s really ramped up their effort after a 2:4 deficit at half time to beat the SCC Lions 9:5.
Captain Madeleine was dogged in her pursuit of the ball, covering the whole field in the first quarter, forcing many turnovers and assisting in multiple goals. She was very unlucky not to score, hitting the post and goalie five times.
After an early goal from SCC, Hayden answered by running through from the start and smashing the ball in past the goalie.
SCC scored two more then Sophie scored early in the second quarter off a lovely pass by Madeleine who’d received a long pass from Hayden.
Phoenix played a phenomenal game in full back, running out to meet attackers, halting multiple balls, channelling them into the corner, and directly passed in to score twice.
Hayden enjoyed some stints as centre forward, making the play down the centre of the field, assisting out wide, and chasing the ball in towards goals to assist with two and score another three.
Rachel used her skill and determination as both centre forward and full back, pushing through the midfield pack and halting many runs at the half line.
Sophie positioned well to cover the goal space in defence and on the spot in attack, perfecting her run down the field for a slap hit to score twice, and scored another three in around the goalie after sneaky passes from Madeleine, Hayden and Phoenix.
Goalie William showed some fancy footwork, saving seven goals and protecting the posts from many onslaughts.
The U12 Tigers finished the season fifth on the ladder, a fantastic result with great teamwork improving their game play each week.
Goals: Sophie 5; Hayden 4.
Umpire Best and Fairest votes: Phoenix Erickson 3; Sophie Littler 2; Hayden Littler 1.
Under 15 Orange vs Strikers Blue
Benalla Under 15 Orange had an even contest against Strikers Blue, with both teams playing very strong hockey.
Goalie Annie did an amazing job, saving at least three goals in the second half that could have broken the game wide open.
Abbie and Liam teamed up as full backs with some great tackling to halt many Strikers forward runs well before the circle.
Angus W scored early out of a penalty corner, pulling the ball to the left for a strong backstick into the goals. He ran hard all game, breaking open the Strikers defence and scoring another two.
Amity played her best game for the year, making good space and several tackles as well as many second efforts to come away with possession.
Captain Alida was in fantastic position all game either in space on the wing or on the post, and was very unlucky not to score twice.
Erin played in three different positions across the game, putting fantastic pressure on in both attack and defence.
Strikers managed to score a fifth goal, with the 3:5 loss demoting Benalla Orange down into fourth place. Orange now looks forward to the challenge of the semi-final against first-placed GVGS Blue next week.
Goals: Angus W 3.
Umpire Best and Fairest votes: Angus Woodward 3; Amity Hurd 2; Liam Carroll 1.
Under 15 Black vs SYC
Benalla’s Under 15 Black team capitalised on penalty corners this week in a tight game against SYC, also finishing fifth on the ladder for the season.
Benalla worked hard against SYC’s solid defence, with Kobe pushing through from the midfield and avoiding players by passing out wide to Xavier who ran onto the ball and into the circle multiple times.
Angus H received well on his off side to favour travelling down the left field, and scored the first goal from a cross pass from Kobe in a penalty corner.
Another penalty corner in the second half had multiple clean passes and deflections around the circle, before Xavier chipped the ball in past the goalie.
The versatile Steele positioned well out wide on the wing to pass into the circle, and covered the goals well in defence.
Captain Cael used his reliable flat stick tackle to stop SYC before the circle, with great sweeping clearance hits when they managed to break through, scoring only one for the game.
Jack fought hard for the ball, chasing down the ball carrier and forcing turnovers and free hits.
Goalie Angus W made two great saves right on the line in the third quarter as SYC ramped up their attack, and managed to keep them scoreless for the fourth quarter to ensure the 2:1 win.
Goals: Xavier 1; Angus H 1.
Umpire Best and Fairest votes: Xavier Kramer 3; Angus Hayes 2; Jack Chittick 1.
Senior results:
SYC Women lost 2: 3 against Echuca Green.
Strikers B Men lost 2: 3 to SYC under lights on Friday night.
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