Senior hockey
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B-grade women
The Benalla women played Strikers in a feisty, fast-paced physical contest.
With no bench and major positional changes Benalla managed good control of the play from the outset.
The team combined superbly with the score one all at half-time.
Sarah Farley scored her first ever senior goal.
In the second half Benalla scored early with a goal from Heidi Perry and confidence grew.
The forwards were committed in attack and continued their gut-busting running, but paid the price with two going down to injury: Robyn Farley, in a standout game, a torn calf, and Heidi Perry a hamstring strain.
Both women were unable to return to the field so the game was played out with nine.
The momentum swung end to end, Strikers equalised, but neither side could seal the deal.
Final score: draw 2-2.
Goals: Sarah Farley, Heidi Perry.
Umpire best and fairest votes: Willow Plex 3, Heidi Perry 2, Prue White 1.
B-grade men
The men played Strikers without their regular goalkeeper; Marty Gillies stepped in to ensure the match progressed.
The game started well with great control in Benalla’s passing and team work.
The Benalla side changed its usual line-up of positions on the field.
The whole team worked together creating some great attacks having put four goals on the board by half-time.
In the second half the game moved in much the same pace with some great plays, but Strikers were able to slow the attack.
Benalla was able to score one more goal with the Strikers persistence eventually paying off for them.
In the final five minutes they deflected one goal into the net.
Final score: Benalla 5 d Strikers 1.
Goals: Daniel Trevaskis 3, Thomas Hill, Alan Sutherland.
Umpires best and fairest votes: Evan Dowe 3, Daniel Trevaskis 2, David McIntyre 1.
Junior hockey
GVHA U-18 mixed team
On Friday night the Under-18s played their round 10 match against Greensborough at home.
In the cold, wet weather, they came away with a 3-1 win.
The team then headed to the SNHC to play their round five match against ladder-leaders Footscray.
This was a tough match with neither team giving an inch, but displaying some great hockey.
They went into the half-time break at nil all.
The second half was equally contested, with the ball moving from end to end and no score.
Finally with one minute to go Footscray was able make a fast run down the field to score, handing GVHA their first loss for the season.
The next double header will be Friday, August 16.
Under-12
The Tigers played Mooroopna and their early attempts to penetrate were unsuccessful.
Everyone worked hard in defence.
Olly eventually broke through to score in the third quarter.
Amber and Xavier had worked hard to defend while Olly and Zac kept pushing forward. In the final quarter Mooroopna broke through the tough defence to score and even the game. Injury time saw the game finish in a draw.
Final score: Benalla 1 drew Mooroopna 1.
Umpire best and fairest votes: Olly Gillies 3, Noah Gillies 2, Zac Fennell 1.
Benalla’s cash award went to Olly Gillies.
Under-10
The under-10s played SYC and the first quarter was tightly contested with no goal scored.
In the next quarter Angus, Jai, Lily and Zander combined well to put on much forward pressure.
Xavier played well in defence and SYC scored the only goal.
In the third quarter SYC scored quickly twice and Benalla battled with Jai slotting a good one. Further forward pressure in the final quarter did not result in a score.
Final score: SYC 3 d Benalla 1.
Goals: Jai Nolen.
Benalla’s cash award went to Lily Stewart.