The Margaret River A2 hockey teams had mixed results over the weekend with the women taking the points over Robins while the men’s team suffered a 2-0 loss to Cavaliers.
The women’s team started the game with only ten players and within the first 2 minutes had scored a field goal at the hands of Francine Badger-Davies.
With the arrival of Janet Smith at the ten minute mark of the game, Margaret River had a full team on the field but no substitutes to call on.
Accurate passing and strong teamwork throughout the game saw goals shared amongst Claire Seber, Debbie Storey, Francine Badger-Davies and Helen O’Neill.
The Robins only goal was scored when a lapse in Margaret River’s defence allowed them to sneak in.
Best players on the field were Helen O’Neil who directed play from the mid-field, Janet Smith who ran constantly in the forward line and Kate Thompson for providing solid defence.
With a number of key players out, Margaret River A2 men’s hockey team were undaunted in the lead up to their clash with competition leaders Cavaliers.
The skillful opposition team has handed out a few thrashings in previous games and the Margaret River team played with tenacity to keep the score to 2-0.
The first half saw the Margaret River defence stand up strongly with Blake Smith and Vincent Reid consistently shutting down the Cavaliers’ attack.
Midfielder Colin Fox was taking advantage of the strong defense, continually directing play and setting up many promising attacking moves.
Sam Weightman, playing his first game since primary school, proved to be quite a valuable player with good positioning and strong hitting out of defence.
George Carson was dangerous in attack on many occasions, but without support from the forwards was outnumbered by the Cavaliers’ back line.
A lapse in concentration and some skillful play from the Cavaliers saw them score two field goals.
Some sensational goalkeeping from Steven Noakes continued to frustrate the stronger Cavaliers’, allowing the Margaret River team to finish the game with heads held high. Noakes, Carson and Reid were selected as the umpires’ best on field picks.
The men’s team takes a rest next week with a bye while the women take on Cavaliers White at Busselton Hockey Stadium.
