For most teams, Benalla’s best games all season were played this week, with the much awaited U15 Orange vs Black showdown providing some great hockey viewing.
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Under 12 vs SYC
Benalla’s U12s played their best game of the season, really switching on to make position and back each other up, to score a whopping nine goals against SYC’s six.
A fast first goal to SYC had Benalla answer quickly, with captain Phoenix deflecting from the backline up to Madeleine who passed through to Rachel to score.
William then took a run from starting after another SYC goal right through three players to score again quickly.
Benalla’s third came as the team ran through with a pass from Sophie to William who swung the ball around the goalie to find the gap, making it to 3:3 at half time.
Phoenix provided solid defence, chasing the ball down into the corners, and racing back to protect the gap in goals.
Goalie Hayden saved more than ten goals with impressive fast reflexes, including one with his stick right on the goal line.
The team raced the field many times, with William again making a fast break from the centre start to find the gap to the left of the goalie, then Sophie put Benalla in front again by belting one in from over the quarter line.
Madeleine used her speed and determination on the wing to chase down the ball carrier, forcing multiple turnovers and passing through to her teammates, following through right into the goals and narrowly missing putting one in when William beat her to it.
Sophie ran hard all game, with three goals in the fourth quarter off handy passes from Rachel and William cementing the win.
Goals: Sophie 4; William 4; Rachel 1.
Umpire Best and Fairest votes: Sophie Littler 3; Hayden Littler 2; William Keen 1.
Under 15 Orange vs Benalla Black
Under 15 Orange played an intense game against Benalla Black, with some good team plays and strong penalty corner defence.
Orange’s attack was tested early, with centre passing through to Liam and Erin thwarted by Black players.
Talon reciprocated by halting a few early runs in the back line, running the ball up past the centre line and to Angus W who ran it out wide down the right wing, closely pursued by Black.
Amity positioned well as a deep full back, providing the cross-pass and helping block the goals.
Goalie Annie stopped multiple early attempts, with Angus W also providing a magnificent save right on the goal line to keep the ball in play, he then ran the ball up through the whole field of players to score a quick goal.
The second quarter saw Erin emerge from the central pack into the circle to pass to a well-positioned Liam who tipped it in behind the goalie.
Alida provided good options out wide on the left wing, with well-timed passes towards the circle.
After a long period at 2:2, Angus W managed to break through with a solo run at goals, hitting one through to the left corner.
Black’s defence was too strong to penetrate further, with Orange settling for the 3:3 draw.
Goals: Angus W 2; Liam 1.
Umpire Best and Fairest votes: Liam Carroll 3; Angus Woodward 1; Amity Hurd 1.
Under 15 Black vs Benalla Orange
Benalla’s U15 Black team played their best hockey all season against Benalla Orange, with amazing defence, strong passing and great teamwork.
Cael had a stellar game, proving the value of solid defenders against multiple Orange runs, as well as repelling balls out of the circle up to the wings.
Black used the width of the field well, with Kobe sending the ball out of the congested centre to Xavier on right wing who ran it up the field, crossing to Jack in the circle who passed back to Xavier to score the first goal and put Orange on edge.
Steele alternated between full back and wing, trapping solidly and supporting well out wide, sending through a great pass to Xavier who scored to the right of the goalie to put Black in front by two.
Jack ran hard against the taller Orange team, channelling them down the entire field to force the ball over the backline many times, and was also unlucky not to score.
Goalie Finn made some critical saves, but didn’t see much action due to the strong defence.
Kobe used his skill in the centre to halt Orange’s forward play, passing out wide to Xavier who positioned perfectly all game, with multiple runs into the circle.
Captain Angus H worked the field, providing critical support in the forward line, with a final late goal off a pass from Xavier to Kobe at the top of the circle proving the equaliser, 3:3.
Goals: Xavier 2; Angus H 1.
Umpire Best and Fairest votes: Xavier Kramer 3; Angus Hayes 2; Cael Johnston 1.
Umpire thanks
The juniors thanked the efforts of Lee Manning and Erin Jenkins who have worked hard umpiring Benalla’s teams all year.
Senior results:
SYC Women won 3:0 against Echuca White in another intense game, with Amber running hard all game to prevent Echuca’s key goal scorer from scoring.
The versatile Jacinta played both half back and pushed up into the circle to assist with goals as an inner.
Strikers B Men lost 2:0 to Echuca in a strenuous game in the winter sun, with Angus W providing options out wide on the wing to drive into the circle, and Latham providing good defence as a high full back.
Euroa Women played their best game of the season, keeping top of the ladder Echuca Green to 2:2 at three quarter time!
Ebony was magnificent in defence, even running right up to the attacking third to halt Echuca’s runs early, earning 3 best and fairest votes.
Lee ran hard as half back, providing support to both ends, including a pass into the circle to Katrina, who found Heidi on the post to score Euroa’s second.
Echuca overran Euroa in the final quarter to win 4:2.
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