BURRAWANG are the 2014 Shoalhaven Hockey men’s champions after defeating Bluejays 3-2 in Saturday’s grand final.
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For the third week in a row the men’s competition was decided in extra time. Bluejay’s attackers combined well to pressure the Burrawang defence with Tim Pullen opening the scoring from a short corner after only five minutes of play.
Burrawang regrouped and distributed the ball well only to be stopped by Bluejay defenders. Bluejay’s Sam Crisafi had a strong defensive game with excellent cover defence. As did Burrawang’s Noel Bromfield, Nathan Roberts and Roden Mauger, who played safe and smart at the back.
It wasn’t long before Burrawang evened the score through Jesse Mauger.
The first half continued to be even and was open and fast with all players involved with play. Both teams distributed the ball well. Dennis Smart was strong in the midfield for Bluejays and combined well with Tim and Andrew Pullen.
Six minutes before half time Burrawang went one up when Jack Donavan was able to smash a through ball to Jesse Mauger who picked up a deflection to catch Bluejays goalie and defenders off guard.
Burrawang played a strong second half and had most of the ball possession. However it was Bluejay’s Michael Dunn who out skilled the Burrawang defence and scored with five minutes to go, taking the game into extra time.
Extra time saw much of the even play seen throughout the game. Both teams had opportunities to convert and take the lead. But it was Blake Hill who converted his side’s short corner and took the lead 3-2 with five minutes to go in extra time.
St Georges Basin White were too strong for Allsorts Green in the ladies grand final. Basin were confident coming into the game against the minor premiers. Allsorts played well in the first half and had most of the attack.
Allsorts used the midfield well through Toni Parrish and Kristy Clement who were able to feed their forwards of Peta Brooks, Elle Dodd, Toby Bacchus. Susan White and Natalie Cochrane were able to penetrate the circle wide to put pressure on Basin defence.
Great defence by Basin's Kate Stein and Barb Muldoon kept Allsorts out. Keeper Wendy Williams made some brilliant saves to keep the half time score locked at nil all.
Basin started the second half well with Ash Williams and Aleisha Duncan running the ball well. Jess Muir supported well and was able to feed the strikers of Kellie MclIwain, Sharon Walters and Taylor Matheson-Gee. It wasn’t long before Matheson–Gee found the goalie off her line and slapped the ball in.
Allsorts tried to even the score. Peta Brooks ran the ball well only to be stopped by the solid Basin defence. Stein and Muldoon protected the circled well. Smart play by Allsorts soon got them a short corner. Great trapping by Toby Bacchus allowed Kristy Clements to convert with a straight shot, too fast and wide for the Basin defenders.
The score being locked at 1-all didn’t deter Basin’s game. Danielle Dolby, Kim Kenny and Kim Matheson stepped up to lead the way.
As Basin’s confidence grew so too did the pressure on Allsorts defenders. Allsorts keeper Belinda Finlay had to work hard in the circle making many great saves, likewise Haley Menzies clearing the ball.
But it was the experienced Kellie McIlwain who took on the Allsorts defenders. McIlwain skilfully used her great stick work eventually getting a pass to Matheson-Gee who again was able to covert her second goal.
St Georges Basin outplayed Kangaroo Valley in the junior grand final eventually running out winners 2 – nil.
The first half saw an even game between the two. Basin had great attacking runs by Wade Hands and Liam Dooley. Supported by Ben McDonald in the mid field the Basin attacked through Mikala Rickwood and Abby McDonald. Kangaroo Valley distributed the ball well through Joseph Cutter and James Hayes. Sophie Jones ran the ball well as did Taylor Matheson-Gee.
Basin started the second half fast and strong with Liam Dooley scoring within the first minute. Basin kept on the attack with Mikala Rickwood pouncing on a cross from the right to find Valley’s keeper out of his goals three minutes later.
Valley in turn tried to find the net only to be stopped by Candice Hands in goals. Ben McDonald dug deep and was a great defender for the Basin. Valley, not giving up had some great build up out wide but could not find the goals. Both teams had to work hard and distributed the ball well.