It’s a long but not so winding road to Albury and it’s an even longer road back home especially if things haven’t gone completely the way you hoped they would. In short, there were plenty of goals but in the end SUHC’s WSL and MSL teams had to be content with draws after the longest road trip in HV state league hockey last weekend.
WSL started proceedings and gave Albury a 0-2 head start but battled on valiantly to eventually share honours with their hosts 3 all with thanks in no small measure to fill in keeper Bron Clarke who kept the “other Strikers” at bay for most of the match. This result merely tightens the competition for 3rd and 4th spot in the league with 4 teams now in the running, separated by 3 points only with 2 rounds to go. WSL are 4th and have a big match this week against 6th placed Kew at the SNHC followed by a date with top side Hawthorn away in round 18. Go girls…you can do it!!
MSL followed the WSL game and both teams put on an entertaining display of hard running, free flowing competitive hockey. Fifteen minutes into the second half, SUHC was well in command with a 4-1 lead. You’d have thought it was all over, but what unfolded over the next 20 minutes was either exhilarating or devastating depending on whether you were supporting the green or the red. Despite the deficit Albury did not give up and clawed their way back to 4-3 until…with 8 seconds to go…they levelled the score 4 all!! Gott in Himmel! such is the nature of sport that agony and ecstasy are only a hairsbreadth apart!! Anyway, the job is all in front of MSL for the final two rounds; two solid wins against Kew and MUHC this weekend and next will see SUHC finish 2nd in the league with the finals to come. Over to you, gents.
Many thanks to Albury/Wodonga Hockey Association who hosted SUHC’s state league teams to a fabulous spit roast barbeque after the game. Country hospitality is hard to beat!
Other results:
Elsewhere MPA’s losing streak to lower ranked teams continued, going down 2-4 to MUHC away. MPA remains 3rd on the ladder but face a tough task to stay in finals contention having to play top two sides Camberwell and Waverley in the last two rounds. Come on boys you can do it!!
WPB drew 2 all with Doncaster and are a mathematical chance to sneak into 4th spot but have to knock off higher ranked Camberwell and Mentone to do this. Not at all impossible ladies!!
MPD beat 5th placed 7-5 Brunswick and are a real chance to stay in the four if they beat lower ranked MHSOB and Greensborough in the final two rounds.
WPC travelled to Geelong and were defeated 3-4. They face Kew and MUHC rounds 17 and 18.
MPE was beaten 1-3 by Footscray away, but are secure in 2nd place, ready for the finals. Well done gents!!
M1SE beat Knox 2-0 but will rue dropping points they should have picked up early on in the season and will miss the finals.
M2S went down 1-4 to ECHO and will also miss the finals.
WM2SE beat Waverley 2-1 at farm Road and retain 2nd spot on the ladder with finals beckoning. This is a great result for this young and developing side.
M3S were beaten 3-4 by Dandenong Warriors but can still make the finals.
WM3SE lost to Mornington 0-2 and can’t make the four.
M4S went down 2-6 to Bayside Cougars and are currently 7th on the ladder.
