The Wimmera Hockey Association is set for a big finish to its regular season when the teams converge on the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre for round fifteen on Saturday, with some significant changes still possible on all three ladders before the finals.

The day will also see the Under 12 Development Program conclude for 2023, with the annual certificate and Encouragement Award presentations from 12.00 noon and their games between 12.30 pm and 1.00 pm.
To accommodate the Under 12 Development Program presentations, the two Under 16 matches have been brought forward by half an hour, with the Yanac Warriors v. Horsham Bombers game to commence at 9.00 am, and the Nhill Leopards v. Kaniva Raiders.
- Open -

The match-ups for the Open Division semi-finals have already been set, so this week, teams will focus on refining their game plans as they prepare for their assault on the finals.

After losses last week, the third-placed Horsham Hurricanes and fourth-placed Kaniva Cobras have some work to do as they prepare to meet each other in the elimination semi-final next week, although they both have a tough assignment on Saturday. The Hurricanes take on the undefeated Yanac Tigers, and although the Cobras’ job looks easier as they meet the Nhill Rangers, who have only had one victory this season, that win was against the Cobras in round eight, and they will want to repeat that result to end their season on a high.

- Women -

The most significant results from the weekend will come from the Women’s competition, where even the team with the bye can make a big move.

Kaniva and Yanac are already set to meet each other in the second semi-final, but the team to meet the Nhill Thunderbirds in the other semi-final will not be decided until late on Saturday afternoon.

The Horsham Jets have missed the services of several key players over recent matches, and their form has reflected this, and they go into this round with a tenuous hold on the fourth place by goal difference only. They must draw with or inflict only the third defeat on Yanac this season if they are to play finals, as Warracknabeal can displace them courtesy of the two points they will receive for the bye.

Above - The Horsham Jets will take on Yanac in a game that will decide if they will progress to the semi-finals the following week.

Kanvia will be hard to beat as they aim to go through a regular season undefeated for the first time when they play the Nhill Thunderbirds, who are coming off the bye and will want to perform well as they look towards the finals.

- Under 16 -

Two teams are still in contention to finish on top of the Under 16 ladder, and three are competing for a place in the top two and earning the ‘second chance’ in the finals that comes with it.

The Yanac Warriors go into the round at the top and are in the best position to stay there, but if they suffer a loss to the Horsham Bombers, their opponent will displace them with their better goal difference.

The currently third-placed Kaniva Raiders can return to the top two if they record a significant win over the Nhill Leopards.

The Warrack Revengers season has finished, as they have the bye and will remain in fifth place.


Wimmera Hockey Association – Round Fifteen Fixture

at the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre, Saturday 19 August 2023

9.00 am - Under 16- Yanac Warriors v. Horsham Bombers
10.30 am    - Under 16- Nhill Leopards v. Kaniva Raiders
12.00 pm - Under 12 Development Program Presentations
12.30 pm - Under 12 Development Program
   - Nhill Bandits v. Yanac Lowan Stars
   - Warracknabeal Avengers v. Kaniva Rampagers
   - Dimboola Kookaburras v. Horsham Black Hawks
1.30 pm - Open- Nhill Rangers v. Kaniva Cobras
3.00 pm - Women- Nhill Thunderbirds v. Kaniva Women
4.30 pm - Women- Yanac Women v. Horsham Jets
6.00 pm - Open- Yanac Tigers v. Horsham Hurricanes

Byes - Warracknabeal