Taking to the pitch at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex, both sides had something of a point to prove after failing to pick up maximum points in their most recent outings.
In the case of the Strikers, they were held to a 4-4 draw up against Mooroopna in round four before a bye week leading into the clash on May 30.
Meanwhile, SYC will have been forgiven for licking its wounds in the lead up to round four after surrendering bragging rights in a wounding 4-0 defeat against SYC Yellow in the interclub derby.
However, the host was unshaken by that hastening result as it eventually closed out a vital 4-3 win over Strikers Blue to quickly put the setback against the Yellows behind it in the best way possible.
This gritty triumph left SYC Blue three points adrift of league frontrunners Shepparton Strikers Red and SYC Yellow, both of whom have gone unbeaten in the opening weeks of the term.
Strikers Red issued a major statement of intent in the championship chase as it claimed an impressive 12-0 victory over Mooroopna to rise to the summit on goal difference.
Elsewhere, Goulburn Valley Grammar School and Echuca Moama rounded out the fixtures, settling for a point apiece following on from a 2-2 draw – as they both arrested losing streaks to get off the mark in the league.
With SYC Yellow having a bye week in round four, it will be hoping it will be well-rested ahead of the top-of-the-table clash with pacesetter Strikers Red in round six on June 13.
Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Mooroopna claimed a 3-1 win over second-placed Echuca-Moama to extend its lead to nine points at the top, while Strikers and SYC played out a 1-1 draw.
