Alida had Mooroopna’s goalie laid out flat defending her attack on goal during the U15 Orange clash. Photos by Kelly Thannhauser.
Round four of the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association competition saw fantastic results all round, with the U12 notching up their first win.
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Under 12 vs Echuca Green:
Benalla’s Under 12s had their first full team for the season, and their effort during training really showed with fantastic teamwork, a real drive for the ball, and an awesome 6:2 win against Echuca Green.
Rachel ran out hard through the midfield, supporting both sides and scoring the first goal off a strong pass from Madeleine on right wing.
Captain Hayden controlled the midfield and pushed strongly up towards goals, forcing multiple rebounds back off Echuca’s goalie before scoring.
Returning goalie William hardly touched the ball, thanks to Teddy’s solid traps as full-back. His skilful hits off the side boards sent the ball up towards Benalla’s goals, with Madeliene showing her determination in pushing through with the ball despite Echuca’s defence.
Phoenix worked hard across the field, intercepting many plays and passing forwards well, assisting in two of Hayden’s three goals.
Sophie ran hard, with a magnificent solo effort hitting off the side and back boards and goalie’s pads to sneak a great goal in before the rest of the defence arrived! She also had an amusing series of six slap hits directly back and forth with the goalie before he kicked it away.
Goals: Hayden 3; Sophie Littler 2; Rachel Erickson 1.
Umpire Best and Fairest: Hayden Littler 3; Teddy Thannhauser 2; Madeleine Wright 1.
Under 15 Orange vs Mooroopna:
U15 Orange’s game play also improved this week, with great teamwork, lots of talk, passing to open players, sideways passing around opponents and back passing to relieve pressure on the ball carrier.
The game started quite evenly with both teams working the ball back and forward through the midfield early, aided by Talon’s strong tackles and intercepts at full back, alongside Abbie halting hard hits into the circle.
The deadlock was broken when Angus W scored the first goal, with another three throughout the game, aided by fantastic passes from the team.
Erin and Amity were super persistent through the midfield, with good pressure defending and committed attacks. Erin was unlucky not to score with a shot that bounced off the post.
Goalie Annie stopped a number of certain goals, deflecting all but one sneaky goal in behind.
Alida found great space on the wing, often ahead of the play on the post, while Liam continued to zip around as half-back, scoring the team’s fifth goal late in the game to secure the 5:1 win.
Goals: Angus W 4; Liam Carroll 1.
Umpire Best and Fairest: Angus Woodward 3; Talon McKenzie 2; Annie Ferguson 1.
Under 15 Black vs GVGS Yellow:
Xavier passes back to U15 Black’s Jack to avoid GVGS Yellow’s defence, with Cael supporting.
U15 Black fielded the bare seven this week, giving GVGS Yellow a good run resulting in an even 1:1 draw.
Jack was full of energy after JCC last week, running the field as half back and hitting hard up the sideline to Rachel who made steady traps and pushed into the circle from left wing, unlucky not to score.
Lochie also positioned well out wide, forcing through the GVGS defence many times, and with one clear run able to slot one in past the goalie.
Captain Cael was solid in the backline, with a few runs forwards with Angus H through the midfield to make plays into the goal circle.
Goalie Alexander deflected many through to Xavier who passed strongly up the field. A late solo run after a penalty corner got the best of Benalla in the third quarter to tie the game 1:1.
Goals: Lochie 1.
Umpire Best and Fairest Black: Jack Chittick 3; Rachel Erickson 2; Lochie Johnson 1.
