What a weekend for SUHC!! Out of eight junior teams in qualifying finals we now have six playing in junior Grand Finals this coming weekend U11A, U13A, U13S, U13GA, U15S and U15E plus our WSL2 who will join MSL2, MPE and WM2SE in senior Grand Finals….

Ten SUHC teams in grand finals…this is a sensational result for our club.

It all started on a wet and windy Friday night with our U13A taking on Yarra at Monash University. In a fast running game of high skills, both teams started brightly and it was Yarra who took the early initiative and scored first. But their lead did not last long and after Nathan Ephraums roofed spectacular equaliser, SUHC took control of the game and ran out comfortable and deserving winners 9-2.

SUHC’s U13GA reigning premiers followed and dispatched Camberwell 5-0 in a very impressive display. Once more this was a skilful and determined performance from SUHC’s talented U13 girls who now go into their second successive Grand Final and defend their crown. Well done girls.

Other Friday night results.

• U17S Black lost 2-10 to Mentone.
• U15E beat Camberwell 5-0 for a spot in the Grand Final.
• U15S beat Mornington 3-2 and are now hunting a premiership flag.
• U13S beat Doncaster 3-1 for a Grand Final berth.

On Saturday, the early morning start was at Doncaster at 8.30am with U11S taking on Casey. In a game of contrasts, SUHC controlled the ball for much of the time and constructed many forays into Casey’s half, but found scoring difficult. In the end it was the bigger and stronger Casey outfit that scored, invariably on the counterattack taking out the game 3-1 but not before a fine left post goal from Kaitlin McNeil.

Across town at the SNHC our U11A played Essendon for a spot in the Grand Final in front of a devoted crowd that included some of SUHC’s MSL and MPA squad. In a match that was described by one astute MSL spectator as “an MSL game in miniature” SUHC was victorious 3-2 and now plays arch rival Camberwell for the premiership next weekend.

And now to Sunday as WSL challenged Powerhouse/St Kilda for the right to play Hawthorn for the WSL2 premiership at the SNHC.

It was a perfect day for hockey; cool, a little overcast but still and no rain, as the girls took the field. In another game of contrasting styles, SUHC played strong, possession hockey, moving the ball around the ground with confidence while Powerhouse looked to attack on the counter with a quick, high forward structure. An arm wrestle ensured but eventually it was Powerhouse who scored first while Southern was down to 10 players and they took their 1-0 lead into half time. Parity was soon restored in the second half with the equaliser coming from youngster Danni Luskie and despite both sides having chances to settle the dispute, full time came with scores deadlocked at one all.

And so to sudden death golden goal extra time. Mercifully this was made relatively short following a dazzling base line run from Olivia Finlayson, who then passed neatly to Tamsin Nelson who took the chance and scored. SUHC were 2-1 winners and through to the Grand Final against Hawthorn next weekend.

Congratulations to all teams who made the finals this year, you have all done very well and the club is proud of what you have achieved.

Grand Final weekend promises to be a cavalcade of drama and excitement for SUHC with 10 teams vying for premiership glory.

Sunday 16th September at the SNHC really is the pinnacle day for the club as both MLS and WSL play off for championship honours.

For MSL the reward is doubly great since they play Albury/Wodonga who defeated league leader Essendon, 2-1 in extra time in the preliminary final. This means that the winner of the MSL2 grand final not only takes the premiership, but also earns promotion to Premier League in 2013. With so much at stake, for both clubs, this encounter promises to be a vibrant, high stakes affair with no place for the faint hearted.

For WSL, it is all upside since they have all to gain and nothing to lose. A win over Hawthorn will see them champions and promoted to Premier League instead of Powerhouse. With so much to play for and an upset is never out of the question.

WSL is first up at 9.30am on S1 versus Hawthorn, followed by MSL versus Albury/Wodonga at 11.30am. You just have to be there!!!