The women’s and men’s teams were split this week, with men having the joy of the Albert Park pitch, while the women visited the great new Brumbies pitch.

The women at Elgar Park had a good day with the first winning 6-4, while the reserves had an even better afternoon winning 5-0.

The men had a tough day with lots of players out. The premier league team going down 2-0, despite a great stroke save by Ed.  The reserves had a higher scoring game with similar result, going down 4-2.

The second last round of junior hockey, and the Southern teams excelled.

The under 14 pennant team started the night at Dendy St, with the aid of an extra “player” on the pitch, they played a great game for a 3-3 draw against top of the ladder ECHO. The extra player, was quite happy to stay and observe from the centre of the pitch, then moved slowly to the safety(?) of the goal. What was he thinking!! Thankfully ECHO supporters removed the trespasser to  safety.  This result gives the Under 14 pennant a chance to make second on the ladder which would give them the double chance in the finals.

The under 16 girls pennant followed with a game against Mornington. The girls have really found their form in the pennant competition and had a 2-0 win, which cements their spot in the four with the complexity of equalisation points.

The under 16 mixed pennant were last for the night. With lots of players, missing Rory, Charlie, Kester and Marcus filled in the breach, thanks. Playing top of the ladder the pennant team went down 2-0, in a really well played game.

At Farm Rd the Under 14 mixed shield was first up against Hawthorn. Southern is third on the ladder, Hawthorn fourth, both on the same points, but it was clear why they goal difference was so significant. The Southern team played a great game for a 5-0 win with Ed Fitzgerald scoring a hat trick.  The fourth spot on the ladder is not guaranteed for the team, the results next week will decide positions three, four and five.  Southern play third on the ladder Brumbies next week.

Under 16 mixed shield followed against Powerhouse. First vs fourth on the ladder. The Southern team had a great start with some early goals, and finished with a 5-0 win.  The finals spot is guaranteed for the shield team, they play Brumbies, sixth on the ladder next week. A win would give them the prized minor premiership and playing fourth in the sudden death finals.

Under 18 played Yarra Valley blue in a 2 v 3 match. With Southern aiming to have the double chance in the finals, a good result was important. They did not quite get what they wanted with a 2-2 draw, their fifth draw for the season, with no losses.

At Monash Uni the under 14 girls recovered well from their loss last week with a 9-1 win over Gippsland Bulls. The girls remain top of the ladder, with a place in the finals guaranteed. Next week for the last round, they play bottom of the ladder Geelong.

Under 14 south had a tough game at Mentone against St Bedes.

The under 16 South competition continues to amaze. With Monash and the two Southern teams fighting for position three and four on the ladder, with St Bedes and Mornington clear in one and two on the ladder. Greg took his 16 south black team to PHC to play Mornington and wow…   a 4-4 draw.  Given Mornington had only lost two games to St Bedes up until now, a huge achievement. Will it be enough to get a spot in the four? Time will tell. The south red team played an undermanned Dandenong team for a strong win.

On Saturday morning the under 12 mixed shield team played the game of their lives against third on the ladder Donnie, four points above their fourth position. With great encouragement from Warren, they had a 4-2 win, guaranteeing them a spot in the finals, with a chance next week of moving form fourth to third.

The under 12 girls shield played Brumbies for another win 7-0 with a hat trick to Brylee. This clearly gives the under 12 girls minor premiers. Great work girls and Julian. The under 12 pennant girls had yet another close game 1-0 down to Donnie, while South finished 3-0 down to Casey. The under 12 pennant boys had another tough trip to Brunswick, with Ollie in goals doing a great job, but the skills of Brunswick just too much for our very young team.

The under 10 girls had an awesome result. The Waverley girls have one every game, and have a score difference of 60, our girls, within one player short gave them their first shock for the season with a 1 all draw. Great work girls, and coaches Alice and Laura, with Geogia Ghuiliani scoring the goal.

The under 10 boys played the stronger of the two Waverley teams, and the Waverley crew proved too strong.

Another challenging round for the men’s teams with most teams playing at the same time on Sunday, and lots of players out. Thanks to the players that made themselves available to play in other teams to make it all happen.

Pennant E playing at Werribee looked like they would be  a team of 8 or 9 for a time on Friday night. Thanks to the Masters  and Pennant F players who stepped in to cover the gaps, waltzing away with a 7-0 win.  Pennant E keep their second position on the ladder, and are certain for a finals place.

Pennant A played Camberwell with half of the pennant D team filling in. Camberwell, top of the ladder, 13 points ahead of second. The score did not reflect the game where the Southern players did have a reasonable amount of play and lots of penalty corners, but could not get the ball in the net, and power of Camberwell wore them down for a 7-0 result.

Pennant D at the hockey centre against Mornington had a 9-1 win. Thanks to Harveys, and Ken for helping out. This keeps pennant in the four, with only goal difference separating third and fourth, with at least one win needed over the last two games to keep the finals spot.

Pennant F followed the premier league match at Powerhouse with a different team due to missing players in the higher ranks. A tough game going down 7-1, but keeping their top spot on the ladder.

Metro A and B played Mentone, both taking the points, Metro B winning 2-1, thanks Jason Bloms for taking on the role of goalie again. Metro A 4-1 with Jason Bloms doing work at the other end of the pitch and scoring  two goals. Both Metro A and B have a solid place in the four, the position still to be decided over the last two games.

It was a women’s afternoon at Farm Rd on Saturday with Pennant B, Pennant F, Metro A, and Metro B playing. 

The pennant B ladies had a great start to the season, and went in to the round second on the ladder with five points between second and fifth. Southern played fourth on the ladder Essendon, sadly going down 1-3.  With fifth and sixth on the ladder having an easy run home, the team have some tough games to win to keep their place in the four.

Women’s pennant F were next up at Farm Rd and  had the inverse result  with a 3-1 win over Croydon Ranges with two goals to Liv Pickering. Great work Mel filling in as goalie with Dom injured. At this stage the Pennant F team are third on the ladder, clearly in the four, but not quite there as yet for the double chance.

Women’s metro A continued their winning way with a 2-0 win over Croydon Rangers with Molly and Jane O’Neill scoring a goal apiece. The team remain unbeaten, eight points above second on the ladder. Metro B also took the points.