Tight tussle for victory
• Hockey premier winners the Rovers - back L-R: Tom Hughes, Ryan Davenport, Sam Tomkinson, Kayden Carins, Zavier Ritson, Katrina Knight. Middle: Natasha Hughes, Siobhan McDonagh, Faye Smith, Kylie Blackwell. Front: Zali Brown, Katrina Clifford, Sophie Walker.
By Laura Hill
September 14, 2022
Wet weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of players and supporters of the North-Eastern Hockey Association’s long awaited grand final match between the Rovers and Pythons on Saturday.
Pythons started with the ball, which was quickly taken off them making their play a defensive game from early on.
Some strong runs by Rover Sam Tomkinson added to the pressure as the ball kept coming back when they cleared it making them work hard to get it into their attacking quarter.
Towards the end of the half Pythons gained some ground back returning the pressure onto Rovers defence.
Half time saw the score nil all, leaving the spectators on the edge of their seats waiting to see who would get the upper hand in the second half of the match.
Phil Knight passed the ball to Narelle Genge who finished the goal giving Pythons the lead. With a score on the board players found new vigour.
Pythons pushed for another goal but were thwarted by Rovers defence.
Rovers pushed back and worked feverishly to get the ball to Faye Smith, evening up the score.
Both teams battled to gain an advantage.
Rovers put the pressure back on, giving them several short corners, none of which they were able to convert.
Kayden Carins and Tom Hughes both had some good attempts at scoring for Rovers which were stopped by Zakkiyah Tulloch and Sumeet Sandhu.
Rovers got another short corner allowing Ryan Davenport to score a goal, changing Rovers playing style to defensive.
Both teams were exhausted as the clock ticked closer to the end.
Pythons worked tirelessly to gain another goal but were unable to penetrate the Rovers defence, with Rovers holding on to their lead to make them this season's premiers with the final score 2-1.