It was all out fast paced action from go to woe in the local hockey as six teams to took to the field in the weekends East Gippsland Hockey Association semi finals at the WORLD precinct in Bairnsdale.
The new synthetic field and surrounds were after many hours of preparation by the host clubs Nagle and Swan Reach, providing a welcoming sight to a large number of players and spectators from the six participating clubs in Sale, Wellington, Maffra, Orbost, Nagle and Swan Reach.
The format for the semi-finals was a playoff of the top four sides in each of the under 14, under 16, under 18, women’s and open grades, with the games being officiated by an impressive array of young umpires.
They were also supported by guest umpire Mark Frost who travelled from Warrnambool to assist.
The first games were contested on Friday evening, with games between Nagle and Sale and Swan Reach and Maffra.
Sale proved too strong across the ground, taking the 1-1 scoreline at half time to final score of 3-1, while Swan Reach was able to continue with its seasons dominance at this level, outplaying the Maffra side with a 8-1 win.
On Saturday the under 14 sides opened the day’s proceedings with Swan Reach playing Orbost and Maffra playing Sale.
Swan Reach accounted for Orbost 4-1 and in the tightly contested derby between Maffra and Sale, it was Sale coming home winners 3-0.
The under 16 games followed with fixtures between Nagle and Maffra and Swan Reach and Sale.
Nagle was able to hold off a determined Maffra team with a 2-0 win in a game that could have gone either way until the final whistle.
In the second game, minor premiers Swan Reach proved too strong, consistently winning the ball across the field.
The final scoreline 3-0 against Sale paved its way into the grand final.
The pace went up a notch with the under 18 games.
The first game was contested between Wellington and Sale in what was a thrilling game of end-to-end hockey.
The scoreline alternated between both sides before Wellington was able to take the lead shortly before full time after a solo finish by its right winger, Wellington winning 5-4.
The second game, the local derby between Nagle and Swan Reach, saw Nagle off to a slow start and behind by two early goals before it found its feet.
A missed penalty and the loss of one its main play makers didn’t help its cause as Swan Reach proved too strong winning comfortably 8-2.
To finish off the semi final round were the women’s games.
With two local derbys played between Nagle and Swan Reach and Sale and Maffra there was plenty of pride at stake.
It was pleasing to see the quality of the younger girls making their way in the women’s competition.
In the games it was Swan Reach who held out a defiant Nagle with a 2-0 win and Sale came home with a win over Maffra 3-1 to also claim a grand final berth.
This week the preliminary finals will be played at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale before the grand final games head back to the WORLD on Saturday, September 14.
