It has taken four weeks but the hockey players in the Wimmera finally experienced some typical winter weather with cold and windy conditions greeting them at the otherwise pristine Yanac hockey fields on Saturday, but the conditions did not diminish the quality of hockey played.
The Women's competition remains very tight this season with only six points separating the top four teams after two games, including the rematch of the 2017 grand final, ended in draws, and the improving Warrack Women scored another win.
In the Open division the Yanac Tigers remain undefeated after four games, but the Warrack Hoops and Kaniva Cobras are snapping at their heels, and the top three teams in the Under 16 competition are drawing ahead of the remaining teams.
Open
The Yanac Tigers remain the benchmark in the Open competition after registering their fourth win in as many rounds, this time against the Dimboola Burras.
Both teams looked to overcome the slow ground conditions with the effective use of aerial shots to get the ball into their attacking zone, but it was the Tigers who made the most of their chances.
A goal by Shaun Alexander established a lead before half time, and his Yanac team mates Josh Cramer, Todd Alexander and Bradley Alexander all contributed to the four goal score line, and although the Burras were unable to score, Beau Lovett and Lachlan Schultz both played well.
The Warrack Hoops and Horsham Hurricanes played out a very even game with both teams setting up scoring chances, but it was Darius Cosgrave of the Hoops who was able to elude the opposition goalkeeper and score what would prove to be a match winning goal early in the game.
The Hoops held their structure more effectively than their opponents which allowing them to repel all attempts by the Hurricanes to score.
Sandon Schultz was named as the best player for the Hoops and Paul Mackereth put in another solid game for the Hurricanes.
Above - Paul Mackereth of the Horsham Hurricanes and Darius Cosgrave of the Warrack Hoops in action at Yanac on Saturday.
The Kaniva Cobras remain in touch with the top teams on the Open ladder after they finished one goal ahead of the Nhill Rangers. A solid hit by Connor Williams to Mat McDonald who then found the goals was the difference between the teams on the scoreboard but it was solid defence by the Rangers that kept them in the game until the end.
Women
The result of the rematch of the 2017 Women's division grand final was the same as at full time in the season decider last year, with scores tied, but on this occasion there was no tie breaker so the teams had to settle for sharing the points.
This was an entertaining game between two very evenly match teams who look destined to play a significant role in the outcome at the end of the season.
The play was untidy and scrambly at times which reflected the intensity with which they were playing but also included some skilful passages of play. Rebecca Lovett and Elizabeth Klinge controlled the midfield for the Roos and Natalie Jones and Susan Hedt were dominant for Yanac.
The Warrack Women remain in the top four after their second win for the season when they overcame the Horsham Jets by four goals to one. Alysha Genn scored twice, including converting a penalty stroke, and one of Donna Rigby's two goals came from a good run down the middle of the field before she was able to work around the goalkeeper to score. Rhiannon Marr scored the only goal for the Jets.
The Nhill Thunderbirds and Kaniva Women played out a draw with Grace McLeod scoring for the Thunderbirds and Hannah Braisby found the goals for Kaniva.
Under 16
The gap between the top three and bottom three teams on the Under 16 ladder is beginning to grow, with a two game break between the third and fourth placed teams after only four games.
The top three teams all had wins on the weekend, with the Leopards scoring a three goal win over the Kaniva Raiders, the Warrack Revengers won comfortably over the Horsham Bombers, and the Dimboola Kangaroos were forced to forfeit their clash with the Yanac Warriors.
Next Week - Junior Country Championships
There are hockey no games scheduled in the Wimmera next weekend as the best junior players from around the state, including the Wimmera, converge on various venues in Melbourne for the 2018 Junior Country Championships.
Local competition will resume on the evening of Friday 25 May with two games under lights at the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre, with the remaining ten games of round 5 being played at the same venue the following day.
Round Four Results
Open
Warrack Hoops 1 (Goal - D Cosgrave; Best - S Schultz, R Bennett, M Williamson, D Cosgrave) defeated Horsham Hurricanes 0 (Best - P Mackereth, C Dodson, B Tischler, T Roberts)
Kaniva Cobras 1 (Goal - M McDonald; Best - A Wallis, L Mills, J Bedford, D Shalders) defeated Nhill Rangers 0 (Best - S Bone, B Miller, D Reichelt, D Schwarz)
Yanac Tigers 4 (Goals - B Cramer, B Alexander,S Alexander, T Alexander; Best - B Alexander, T Alexander, K Croot) defeated Dimboola Burras 0 (Best - B Lovett, L Schultz, C Halsall)
Open Ladder
| | Pts | GD
| | Yanac Tigers | 16 | 15
| | Warrack Hoops | 12 | 6
| | Kaniva Cobras | 10 | -2
| | Dimboola Burras | 6 | 1
| | Horsham Hurricanes | 4 | -11
| | Nhill Rangers | 0 | -9
|
Women
Kaniva Women 1 (Goal - H Braisby; Best - C Shurdington, S Williams, O Williams) drew with Nhill Thunderbirds 1 (Goal - G McLeod; Best - K Farquharson, G McLeod, L Hawker)
Dimboola Roos 2 (Goals - R Hauselberger, K Smithyman; Best - R Lovett, E Klinge, V Smithyman) drew with Yanac Women 2 (Goals - C Beattie, L Bone; Best - N Jones, S Hedt, L Bone)
Warrack Women 4 (Goals - A Genn 2, D Rigby 2; Best - A Genn, D Rigby, K Krahe) defeated Horsham Jets 1 (Goal - R Marr; Best - S Robinson, M Guest, K Triffitt)
Women's Ladder
| | Pts | GD
| | Yanac Women | 14 | 12
| | Dimboola Roos | 10 | 2
| | Nhill Thunderbirds | 10 | 0
| | Warrack Women | 8 | 2
| | Kaniva Women | 6 | -4
| | Horsham Jets | 0 | -12
|
Under 16
Nhill Leopards 3 (Goals - J Reichelt, E Murden, L McBride; Best - J Reichelt, E Murden, M Reichelt) defeated Kaniva Raiders 0 (Best - M Goodwin, O Williams, I Williams)
Warrack Revengers 6 (Goals - O Bennett 4, B Williamson, H Zwar; Best - O Bennett, H Johns, B Williamson) defeated Horsham Bombers 0 (Best - B Woodhart, C Dodson, M Chisti, B Brooks)
Yanac Warriors defeated Dimboola Kangaroos by forfeit
Under 16 Ladder
| | Pts | GD
| | Nhill Leopards | 14 | 21
| | Yanac Warriors | 14 | 11
| | Warrack Revengers | 12 | 1
| | Kaniva Raiders | 4 | -5
| | Horsham Bombers | 4 | -20
| | Dimboola Kangaroos | 0 | -8
|
Under 12 Development Program
Dimboola Kookaburras 2 (Goals - L Krelle, L Farmers) drew with Yanac Lowan Stars 2 (Goals - Archie Zanker, Asher Zanker)
Horsham Black Hawks 2 (Goals - I Chisti, S Schwarz) defeated Warrack Avengers 1 (Goal - S Goodwin)
Nhill Bandits 8 (Goals - V Maloney 3, T McBride 3, K Chequer, R Reichelt; Encouragement - K Chequer) defeated Kaniva Rampagers 2 (Goals - C White 2; Encouragement - F Dodson)
Under 12 Development Program Ladder
| | Pts | GD
| | Horsham Black Hawks | 14 | 4
| | Yanac Lowan Stars | 10 | 0
| | Nhill Bandits | 8 | 8
| | Dimboola Kookaburras | 8 | 4
| | Kaniva Rampagers | 8 | -3
| | Warrack Avengers | 0 | -13
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