Round 2 of WHA hockey saw NDSC – Hockey Division come away with good results on a warmish autumn day on the grass at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal. Nhill played against all Dimboola teams, winning two and drawing one.

Bandits

The Under 12 Development Program team Bandits played with 12 players against the Kookaburras: Welcome to Stella making her hockey debut, and her brother Daniel making his season debut.

From Jess: Training with Fred must have been a successful mission. A lot less butterfly looking from all the new and younger players and more action. Initiative started to take over from all players at the start as they were all vocal calling out where they were to help whoever had the ball and also learning where their position can take them on the field which made for a very interesting second half where it became a struggle for both teams to get anywhere near their own goals and a lot of back and forth. Dimmy lead with two goals taken between the space of 5 minutes almost half way through 1st half then the older boys with the help of Madalyn, Jody, Stella, Declan and Emily swapping in other forward positions led to a few goals back to back to Ben, Daniel B, Daniel B again and then Barrett.

Half time score: 4-2 up.

Stella looked like a natural for her first game taking on any Dimboola player who would get the ball and looked like she has played previously.

Final score: Bandits 4 def Dimboola Kookaburras 3.
Goal scorers: Daniel B 2, Ben 1, Barrett 1.
Tiger Cash $5: Daniel B.
Horsham Lanes and Games voucher: Stella.

Thanks to Jess N for helping out in manager Kristie’s absence.

Leopards

Leopards backed up their strong start to the season with another good result in round 2.

Q1 saw the much younger Dimboola opposition put up a really good fight but midway through Oliver was able to make the first score.

Q2 saw Alissa score her first U16 goal which is sure to boost her confidence!

Half time score: 2-0 up.

Temporary coach Helen switched up the positions during the game and rotated the bench for quarters to allow more time on field for the three subs, including Oliver’s friend Marty who joined in for the day, and this was a bit of fun for the friends to play together where they normally play in separate leagues. Apart from Marty not being able to keep his position at full back and creeping up into centre forward position several times where a lot of the action was he was a fairly handy player!

Despite a few short corners for Nhill there was no score in Q3, with a very congested attacking D.

Helen took Deegan and Oliver off for the first half of Q4 and this gave the younger players and Thar Shue at CHB a chance to step up for a little bit. When they were let loose again they sure made the most of their time with a fire in their belly, as within a minute or so Oliver scored a goal and a few minutes later Deegan scored, too! Amelia was making great position and did a great job of half back to help get the ball into attack. Shoutout to Saskia who stopped to check little Logan from Dimboola was ok when he was hurt.

Final score: Leopards 4 def Dimboola Kangaroos 0.
Goal scorers: Oliver 2, Deegan 1, Alissa 1.
Umpire votes: Deegan 3, Oliver 2, Amelia 1.
Tiger Cash $5 (DMD): Amelia.
Horsham Lanes and Games voucher: Alissa.

Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds were up against the newly re-formed Dimboola Roos and although many of their players hadn’t played before their last week’s debut, we knew they were going to put up a good fight, led by former Nhill player for a season Jennie Hauselberger who has done an impressive job leading the team both on field and off to get a team back in the competition. Between Jennie and Leah for Dimboola they seemed to be everywhere and were cutting off much of Nhill’s attack.

Half time score: 0-0.

Every time we got into attack Jennie would shut us down, plus some handy work from some of the newbies.

However, there were some good runs with Kenni hitting across into the D where mum Rachel was ready but the ball bounced over her stick. Naomi and Rachel with Cally’s good run had some good passages of play and by the end of the game were starting to find a good rhythm. Nancy was almost a goal running right at the goalie’s pads but just missed, after also making great position out on her wing throughout the game.

Erin and fullbacks Helen and Tori thwarted all of Dimboola’s advances to help keep the score at least to a draw. Thunderbirds were making a speedy breakthrough run toward goal when the final whistle unfortunately blew.

It was great to have Catherine, Zali, and Amelia making their season debut, especially with Stacey out injured, and now Catherine carrying an injury.

Final score: Thunderbirds 0 drew with Dimboola Roos 0. Goal scorers: NA.
Umpire votes: Kendra Clark 3, Helen Cannell 2, Rachel Clark 1. Nhill IGA voucher: Naomi Kuhnell.
Tiger Cash $5 (Pacific Fuel Solutions): Tori Cuming.

Rangers

Bye.

Shout out to Joseph for helping out Horsham Hurricanes. Round 3

Nhill hockey’s next matches will be on Saturday 11 May 2024 at Dimboola (Horsham host).

Nhill will take on Warracknabeal teams.Leopards at 9.30am; Bandits at 12.30pm; Thunderbirds at 1.30pm; Rangers at 4.30pm.

This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 8 May 2024.