One man has reigned supreme throughout the Regional Hockey League season, with goals seemingly pre-loaded into Xavier McBain’s stick.
And on Sunday, he let a few rip.
During Strikers’ 24-0 demo job on Eaglehawk in the final round of the RHL, McBain powered nine goals into the net to take his league tally to 27 - more than three times the total of his nearest challenger.
It was a day for big hauls for those wearing red, as Ben Costa slotted five goals, Gurbaj Singh four, and Duncan Moodie and Timothy Russell chimed in with three apiece.
The smashing Strikers delivered may seem excessive - but it was crucial in the grand scheme.
Sunday’s win lifted Strikers to 15 points, but as Strathdale and Sandhurst matched the tally, it was eventual goal difference that landed the Shepparton side top spot on the final day.
In the round’s other games, William Kerr’s brace lifted Echuca-Moama to a 5-3 victory over Bendigo Senjuns while SYC forfeited against Sandhurst.
On the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association women’s front, Strikers and SYC duked it out in a clash that will repeat this weekend.
A Taya Hayes double landed Strikers a 2-1 victory, giving them the edge ahead of a semi-final clash between the same two sides on Saturday.
Meanwhile, an Echuca-Moama derby finished even stevens as the club’s two outfits, White and Green, settled for a 2-2 draw.
B-grade men’s action saw SYC push past Echuca-Moama 4-1 and Strikers defeat Mooroopna 3-2.
Finally, a bye in the closing Women’s Vic League Two round for Mooroopna sees the Cats round out the 2025 campaign in fifth.
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