Kaniva Rampagers

This week our Rampagers team of Jed, Delta, Reagan, Lewis, Annabelle, Matilda, Darcy, Jonas, Avery, Olive, Caleb, Amity and Letty played a very competitive game against the Yanac junior team and won with a goal scored by Lewis. It’s encouraging to see our first-year players continuing to increase their confidence, plus our more experienced players assisting them when needed. This week’s encourage award, sponsored by Mills Plumbing, went to Matilda for her ongoing improvement of confidence in her hockey.

Kaniva Raiders

Round 12 saw the Kaniva Raiders go into the game against the Warracknabeal Revengers as favourites, but the determined Revengers weren’t going to make it easy. A short corner awarded to the Raiders 10 minutes into the quarter was defended well by the Raiders without a goal being scored, to be followed by another 5 minutes later. The ball was injected into the D by Logan K to Charlie with a quick pass back to Logan on the post to push it in for our first goal. The Raiders followed up with some great team play and passing down the field towards their goal, and in what appeared to be slow motion, Charlie scored the second goal. Play resumed with the Raiders regaining possession of the ball and heading towards their goal with a great run by Flynn, quick pass to Jonas, who was able to flick it into the goal – to be then disallowed due to the end of the quarter time whistle being blown.

Second quarter began with a Kaniva short corner early on with Charlie injecting into the D with great attacking positioning by the young Raiders – Jonas, Logan H, Olive and Delta but unfortunately were unable to convert. Lots of field play followed with space created by the Raiders enabled Logan K to flick the ball to Olive for her to be able to pass to Flynn to score a goal! Ball goes back to the centre, Charlie gains possession was able to run the ball down the field and into the D for a successful shot on goal. The Revengers were awarded a short corner just before the half-time break, but due to a strong defence from the Raiders they ended the first half scoreless to the Raiders 4 goals.

The second half began with 3 short corners, 2 for the Raiders and 1 for the Revengers without a goal scored. Plenty of passing around all the players in the Raiders team enabled them to break through a strong defence from their opponents, with Charlie passing to Logan K for another goal. Revengers followed up with 3 more unsuccessful short corners thanks to a strong Raiders defence. Charlie was able to sneak the sixth and final goal of the match under the goalies raised foot. The game ended with two unsuccessful short corners to the Raiders after the final whistle. The 6-0 win gives the Raiders the outright top position on the junior competition ladder.

• Goals: Charlie White 3, Logan Krelle 2, Flynn Dodson 1
• Votes: Charlie White 3, Logan Krelle 2, Flynn Dodson 1, Reagan Williams 1

Kaniva Women

Kaniva Women headed out to Yanac to play Warracknabeal Women on a fine Saturday afternoon. After training under lights on Thursday on their home field, the Kaniva Women had opportunity to sharpen up their grass hockey skills. A little light on with players this week we welcomed two juniors’ girls into the side; thanks to Delta and Olive for filling in. And well done to Olive on your first senior game.

Kaniva took early control of the game and, within the first minutes, scored their first goal through a great passage of team play. Warracknabeal were not giving it to Kaniva easily, making them fight for every ball. Kaniva earned 4 penalty corners, but Warracknabeal defence was making it too hard to score. Kaniva’s Jennie Hauselberger was next to score in an impressive tennis like shot. Half-time score 2-0.

The second half continued much the same, with Kaniva having to fight hard for the ball and Warracknabeal defence holding strong. Hayley Pearse was the next Kaniva player to break through scoring Kaniva’s 3rd goal. The game ended with two short corners for Kaniva after the whistle, but alas, they could not be converted to the scoreboard. Final Score 3-0.

• Goal Scorers: Lisa Stimson, Jennie Hauselberger, Hayley Pearse.
• Umpire Votes: 3 Jennie Hauselberger, 2 Querida Pearse, 1 Lisa Stimson, 1 Hayley Pearse.
• Club Votes: 3 Querida Pearse, 2 Lisa Stimson, 1 Jess Wallis.

Kaniva Cobras

Kaniva Cobras took the field against Warracknabeal Hoops at Yanac on Saturday. Kaniva had a full card with both Lisa and Jennie filling in, allowing multiple interchanges when required. Both teams were very evenly matched and this was apparent with the game being played mainly in the midfield. Both teams secured short corner penalties but could not convert them.

Early in the second quarter, Warracknabeal were quick to score and take the lead. The Kaniva team continued to push forward and were doing well to penetrate through the strong Warracknabeal defence. Kaniva had more of the attacking play but could not convert this to the scoreboard. Halftime saw Warracknabeal in the lead 1-0.

The second half continued with the same intensity. A few changes in the Kaniva lineup saw them playing a very attacking game. There were some close chances on goal for Kaniva, but they just couldn’t find the backboard. Kaniva was dominating the attacking play, keeping the ball in their attacking half. There were a number of short corner penalties for Kaniva, but they could not get past the strong Warracknabeal defence. With only 1 minute and 30 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Kaniva was awarded a penalty stroke. Kaniva’s Logan Krelle took on the challenge and successfully scored! Warracknabeal were quick to retaliate and push forward, but Kaniva’s defence held strong. The game was tied 1-1.

• Goals: Logan Krelle
• Umpire Votes: 3 Ryan Smith 2 Adam Wallis 1 Clint Beattie 1 Lachie Mills 

This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 2 August 2023.