Benalla Hockey Club teams triumph in finals lead-up, eye grand final glory

The game was forfeited by Mooroopna and the U/16A team looks forward to the first round of finals next week.

U/16B Black 14 vs SYC 5

Wet conditions were the order of the morning, with the Tigers out to continue playing well as a team and build on the positives from their past few games.

Talon Mackenzie dominated the game, leading the goal-scoring all day, before ending up with nine by the final siren.

He was well supported by Lachlan Johnson and Jack Chittick, who got past the goalkeeper several times themselves, with Lucinda Hurd also ending up on the scoreboard.

Benalla kept SYC at arm’s lengths for the duration of the match to take a comfortable nine-goal win.

Goals: Talon MacKenzie (9), Jack Chittick (3), Lachlan Johnson (2), Lucinda Hurd (1)

Votes: Lachlan Johnson (3), Jack Chittick (2), Talon MacKenzie (1)

Under 16B Orange 13 vs GVGS 1

Coming off the bye, the Tigers were really looking forward to getting back on the pitch for one last hit-out against GV Grammar before finals.

Under pressure early from the start, Benalla starting fullback Xavier handled it well, and with the support of his teammates was able to stop any forward play from GV.

Once Benalla had blown out the cobwebs from its week off, the players really started working well as a team, with the wet conditions failing to dampen spirits as they surged ahead on the scoreboard.

Goalkeeper Alex was once again at his consistent best, letting only a single goal past for the whole game.

The Tigers did an excellent job looking for open passes and being ready in all the right spots to put pressure on the GV defence.

Amity, Liam and Kobe all scored three goals and Brodie scored two, with Alida and Xavier both scoring one as Benalla ran out 13-1 winners.

Umpire votes: Amity Hurd 3, Alida Ferguson 2 and Liam Carroll 1.

Next week, Benalla Orange take on SYC in the semi-final and with the winner making the grand final, it is shaping up to be a blockbuster clash.

B Men 7 vs Strikers 0

Four seasons in one game is the most accurate way to describe the weather for the Benalla Tigers v Shepparton Strikers men’s game on Saturday.

The Tigers put the game to bed early with four goals in the first quarter, but to the Strikers’ credit, they came out firing in the second and never made it easy to score from then on.

Great work by goalie Dave Chittick and full back Charlie Grimwade kept the Strikers’ forwards quiet, while halfbacks Olly Gillies, James Black, Joel Hamill and Marty Gillies provided great run and carry to the forwards.

Wings Tim Halligan, Andrew Glazzard and Caleb Gillies, along with inner Noah Gillies, Shaun Findlow and Angus Woodward, all played their role to lead Benalla to a comfortable win.

Goals: Noah Gillies 2, Shaun Findlow 2, Dave McIntyre 2, Ollie Gillies 1.

Team votes: Noah Gillies 3, Joel Hamill 2, James Black 1.

Women vs Euroa

Benalla played Euroa in an even and tightly contested match played in good spirits.

With teams exchanging possessions regularly in the midfield early, neither team was able to grab the early advantage.

Benalla eventually broke the stalemate with some great forward play, resulting in a goal for Heidi Perry.

Under pressure all game, fullbacks Bec Littler and Mel Treacy played brilliantly, as did Siobhan Higgins, who played in goals for the first time since juniors.

Euroa hit the scoreboard early in the second half, but, thanks to a solid all-team effort, was unable to find the equaliser.

The victory puts the Tigers third on the ladder with a chance to play finals in the coming weeks.

Votes: Ebony Jennings (3), Amber Armstrong (2), Siobhan Higgins (1)

Goals: Heidi Perry (1), Ebony Jennings (1)

Next fixtures (August 24):