The battle for the premierships across the Wimmera Hockey Association’s three competitions moves into the semi-finals on Saturday, with six big matches scheduled for Davis Park in Nhill.

When assessing recent form and the head-to-head records of the teams competing in the first round of finals, all six semi-finals could go either way, and it would be difficult to declare any possible result as an upset.

Open First Semi-Final - Kaniva Cobras v Horsham Hurricanes
2023 Head-to-Head record -

Round 1 - Hurricanes 4 defeated Cobras 0
Round 7 - Cobras 2 defeated Hurricanes 0
Round 11 - Cobras 2 defeated Hurricanes 1
The Open division’s first semi-final will be a very close game, with the Horsham Hurricanes and Kaniva Cobras evenly matched this season. Both won four of their twelve regular season matches, with the only factor separating them on the final ladder being the Cobras’ two draws to the Hurricanes’ one.

Both have shown glimpses of good form at times but have contrasted this with periods when they have struggled, and it is the Cobras’ victories in their most recent two meetings that might give them the edge to progress to the preliminary final.

Open Second Semi-Final - Yanac Tigers v Warrack Hoops
2023 Head-to-Head record -

Round 2 - Hoops 0 drew with Tigers 0
Round 6 - Tigers 1 defeated Hoops 0
Round 13 - Tigers 1 defeated Hoops 0
The Yanac Tigers and Warrack Hoops (pictured) have met in too many finals to count in one of the Wimmera’s most significant sporting rivalries over the last forty years, and although the Tigers have the best record in their encounters, they always have to work hard to earn their victories.

It is difficult to tip against the Tigers, who have not lost a game since the semi-final in 2019, which was a one-goal loss to the Hoops, but the Warracknabeal team has come the closest to the reigning premiers this year, drawing with them in round two, and only going down by one goal on the other two occasions they met.

Whichever team wins their way straight into the grand final will have to earn it with four hard quarters of hockey.

Women’s First Semi-Final - Nhill Thunderbirds v Warrack Women
2023 Head-to-Head record -

Round 1 - Warracknabeal 1 defeated Nhill Thunderbirds 0
Round 7 - Nhill Thunderbirds 6 defeated Warracknabeal 0
Round 11 - Nhill Thunderbirds 2 drew with Warracknabeal 2
After spending just three weeks in the top four this year, Warracknabeal’s late-season form improvement was enough to see them in the top four at the right time, while their semi-final opponent, the Nhill Thunderbirds, have shown more consistent form throughout the season.

With one win each and a draw in their three meetings in the regular season, this will be another close game, pitching the Thunderbirds’ greater final’s experience against the enthusiasm of the improving Warracknabeal.

Women’s Second Semi-Final - Kaniva Women v Yanac Women
2023 Head-to-Head record -

Round 3 - Kaniva 1 defeated Yanac 0
Round 10 - Kaniva 0 drew with Yanac 0
Round 14 - Kaniva 2 defeated Yanac 0
After winning their first premiership last season, Kaniva has continued to dominate the Women’s competition, having not lost a game yet this season, but their semi-final opponent, Yanac, is their closest challenger, having drawn one of their three games together this season.

When they met on Kaniva’s ground two weeks ago, they played out an intense game that the home team won by two goals on the scoreboard, but it was much closer on the field. With a place in the grand final on offer, this will be another hard-fought game that could go either way.

Under 16 Second Semi-Final - Yanac Warriors v Kaniva Raiders
2023 Head-to-Head record -

Round 3 - Raiders 3 defeated Warriors 0
Round 10 - Warriors 3 defeated Raiders 1
Round 14 - Warriors 3 defeated Raiders 0
The young Kaniva Raiders team has performed above expectations this season against some bigger and older opponents, while in contrast, the Yanac Warriors team boasts some very experienced players for this age group, and both have earned the right to play off to be the first to claim a place in the Unde 16 grand final.

The Warriors’ form has been improving over recent weeks, which may give them the edge, but the Raiders have surprised more than one opponent this season and could do it again.

Under 16 First Semi-Final - Horsham Bombers v Nhill Leopards
2023 Head-to-Head record -

Round 2 - Bombers 5 defeated Leopards 1
Round 6 - Bombers 6 defeated Leopards 1
Round 13 - Leopards 1 defeated Bombers 0
The Horsham Bombers started 2023 strongly, but although their form fell away towards the end of the season, they remain one of the stand-out teams, along with the Raiders and Warriors. They should stay in the top three by defeating the Nhill Leopards, who have performed well at times this year but have not shown the same consistency as the top three.
Wimmera Hockey Association - Semi-Final Fixture

Davis Park, Nhill - Saturday 26 August 2023

Field One
 
9.00 am- Under 16 First Semi-Final- Horsham Bombers v. Nhill Leopards
11.00 am- No Game 
1.00 pm- Women First Semi-Final- Nhill Thunderbirds v. Warrack Women
3.00 pm- Open Second Semi-Final- Yanac Tigers v. Warrack Hoops
 
Field Two
 
9.00 am- Under 16 Second Semi-Final- Yanac Warriors v. Kaniva Raiders
11.00 am- Women Second Semi-Final- Kaniva Women v. Yanac Women
1.00 pm- Open First Semi-Final- Kaniva Cobras v. Horsham Hurricanes
3.00 pm- No Game 

The winner of the second semi-finals progresses directly to the grand finals, the loser of the first semi-final is eliminated, and the winner of the first semi-final and the loser of the second semi-final.