SYC Blue's Axel Irwin was impressive as his side slipped to defeat.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
SYC Yellow’s all-conquering start to the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association (GVHA) seniors league campaign continued as they dispatched of SYC Blue in an inter-club derby masterclass.
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Coming into the much-anticipated clash down at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex, SYC Yellow had emerged as the pacesetters at the ladder summit, having tallied up three wins in the opening four weeks of the term.
Imperious during that period, they have proven an immovable object for opposing sides.
Victories over MHC M and GVGS stood out as statements of intent as the all-conquering side claimed the spoils by seven-goal margins on both occasions heading into a bye week in round three.
Likewise, the SYC Blue contingent has slowly been building up a head of steam of its own, with emphatic wins over MHC, GVGS and EMHC providing them with enough reason for optimism in week four.
However, form can often go out of the window during clashes with bragging rights on the line - with the high stakes meaning the inter-club rivals both had a point to prove on May 23.
As the civil war ensued, the Yellows appeared to be in no mood to let sentiment creep as it looked to emerge from an emotionally-charged afternoon with all three points to further its potential title credentials.
Emerging as 4-0 winners in front of an a fervent crowd in Shepparton, this latest victory will undoubtedly reverberate around the grounds as the second-placed Shepp Strikers Red side looks to keep pace with the league frontrunners.
By the end of play, Angus Masterson had tallied up a brace of goals for the Yellows, while Hamish Ralston and captain Ryan Mackenzie closed out the four scorers.
The latter’s pride was palpable as he looked back over what proved to be a memorable day for the club at large, as the two teams produced a compelling fixture and demonstrated the talent within the SYC ranks.
“Prior to the game, we decided to get together for a men’s club dinner - which we called the calm before the storm, while we were still all friends,” skipper Mackenzie laughed.
“Certainly the inter-club game everyone was going in with anticipation and nerves at the same time - it’s always hard trying to play against your closest mates, especially when we all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“We did agree that it was very hard to have a level of aggression when you’re going in against some of your closest friends but we couldn’t have been happier being the victors as it takes us to the top of the ladder.”
As for whether the familiarity of the two teams actually played into the eventual victors’ hands, captain Mackenzie was left assured that the pre-existing tactical knowledge of their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses helped to propel the Yellows to the win.
“We’re still undefeated so we were pretty ecstatic to come out of that,” he said.
“We went out and, because we knew how the other team likes to play, we were able to execute a specific plan.
“Just having the boys never giving up, everyone pulled their weight, people playing out of position - that’s what came to light and helped us edge them out on the day.”
Next up, SYC Blue will come up against the Strikers’ own Blue side, while SYC Yellow will be tasked with continuing its perfect start to life in the league in round six against the Strikers Blue following on from a bye week.
