THE grand finalists are now in place after the final round of Shoalhaven junior hockey on Saturday.
The major upset was in Junior C grade where City were able to take the minor premiership after their 2-nil win over Southern Districts.
The McDonalds Bomaderry Bluejays Sky have been leading the competition all year, but were beaten 6-nil by their clubmates Navy.
This dropped them from first to equal second with Navy.
After a countback they dropped below Navy by two goals (for and against) and have missed a place in the grand final as a result.
The City v Southern Districts game was tight with Tyler Watson able to finish off two goals for City.
Great games from Tom D’elboux and Maddy Collier for City and Lain Murphy and Dean Maxworthy for Southern Districts.
McDonalds Bomaderry Bluejays Sky were without playmaker Rebekah Stewart who was ill and they looked to Matt Berendson and Darshan Sitharthan to lift and lead the team, but they found the strike power of their Navy clubmates too strong with Callum Mackay scoring a hat-trick, and Lachlan Butfield a double.
Congratulations to Danika Herron who scored her first goal of the season in the final.
In junior B grade the grand finalists were clear cut with both Southern Districts and Bluejays having convincing wins.
Minor premiers Southern Districts were combining well with Cade Ryan and Jessica Hancock maintaining the midfield, while twins Ashleigh and Samantha Crisafi were the goal scoring machines scoring the three goals.
Heads to their credit finished off the season with a closer than expected scoreline when Melanie Cevasco was able to score for Heads.
Rebecca Henning and Mia Price were outstanding for Heads.
The City team looked to Matt Smith, Kelly Davey and Jack Gaudie to lift, but the midfield strength from Alexz Crawford, Tim Stewart and Callum Mackay ensured the McDonalds Bomaderry Bluejays were always on the attack.
Rhys Dale and Gabby Lazaro were also playing with purpose in defence for the ’Jays on their way to a 3-1 win.
Thank you to Paul Kirwin who looked after the minkey program this year.
These young children will gain from the skills they have learned as they develop over the coming years.
In senior grades McDonalds Bomaderry Bluejays Sky went on a scoring rampage when they played St Georges Basin.
Sky has started their concerted effort in preparation for the grandfinal and were working on their combination work.
Tim Pullen showed he has recovered from his ankle injury when he scored a whopping six goals.
Ethan Hale was on the spot to ensure one went high into the net after an overhead pass from Alex Mackay, who scored four goals of his own.
Kangaroo Valley had too much power in the other men’s competition match against McDonalds Bomaderry Bluejays Navy.
The young boys from the ’Jays have improved significantly over the year and would have been disappointed with the 6-2 scoreline.
In women’s A grade was a goal-less affair when all four teams failed to cross the goal line.
City and McDonalds Bomaderry Bluejays played in an even game.
Shelby Roberts, Kate Bellamy and Kirsten Thone were covering the midfield, but the final defence from both teams was too tight.
The top of the table clash between Heads and Basin saw both teams lift in defence, the two goalies Jane Keel for Heads and Emily Reichler for Basin played tremendously in the precursor to the grand final in a couple of weeks.
In women’s B grade Basin were too strong for Heads winning 6-2 after impressive games from Samantha Crisafi, Rachel Brett and Belinda Meaker.
Best for Heads was Rebecca and Brooke Henning and Jennifer Coleman.
Allsorts moved back to the top of the B grade competition ladder after a 2-nil win over McDonalds Bomaderry Bluejays.
Allsorts scored early in the first half from a hit by Kailene Sutherland then some 15 minutes later by a deflection off the post.
Many further shots at goal were saved by the ’Jays goalie Juanita Mackay and fullback Deanna Jones swept well in defence.
Lucy Cowman, Kate Bellamy and Lexi Mounsey also played well for the ’Jays, but the Allsorts defence was too tough.