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A club divided: Benalla Orange and Black go head to head

Mate against mate: Orange Sophie, Erin, Kobe, Jack, Luci, Xavier and goalkeeper Steele (absent Annie, Pavneet). Black Amity, Talon, Angus, Finn, Lockie, Alida and goalkeeper Alexander (absent Cael, Serenity). Photo: Lee Manning Photo by Lee Manning

GVHA 2023 Round 11:

The Benalla Hockey family welcomes the return of Emma and Rhett Parker who have strengthened the Euroa under-10 team.

They enjoyed a year up near the Blue Mountains, and bring back skills developed with NSW’s Oberon Tigers team.

Back in town: Emma and Rhett Parker have returned to Benalla after a year up in NSW with Oberon Tigers Hockey Club. Photo: Abbie Thannhauser

Under-14 Orange vs Benalla Black

The under-14 game was a clash between training partners Benalla Orange and Black.

Parents of two sets of twins playing for opposing teams literally had a foot on both sides of the half-way line.

The play was a roller-coaster with both teams firing up in different quarters, and the scores an even 4:4 all at half-time.

Defence: Finn belts the ball away from Benalla’s under-12 goals with Steele, Jack and goalie Brodie assisting. Photo: Kate Parker Photo by KATE LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY

President Lee Manning was asked who she was barracking for at three-quarter-time.

“My daughter is playing for Orange and I’m coaching Black so I’m going for both of them,” said Manning.

After a 10:10 draw last time they met the rivalry was fierce, but all was forgotten during a celebratory lunch from Mooroopna Pizzeria for everyone.

The Benalla Orange team did really well getting goals against the persistent Benalla Black team.

Xavier and Erin rotated through the back and front line with Xavier stopping balls and sending them up.

In space: Under-14 Black’s Talon hits down the field, chased by Erin, Luci, Angus and Kobe with goalie Alexander and Alida watching. Photo: Meggan Thompson

Erin scored some sneaky goals with Luci and Sophie assisting with second and third attempt.

They ran well on the wings with Luci tapping in two goals — one between the goalie’s feet.

Jack had great hits leading to goals for the team as well as slamming two in himself.

Captain Kobe had an amazing game blocking and generating great passes.

In the fast lane: Under-14 Orange’s Xavier zooms past Amity to hit down the field. Photo: Meggan Thompson

Steele did a great job as goalie stopping an onslaught of Black players, including finally kicking the ball out after four attempts at one stage.

For Benalla Black, Talon did the running, scoring multiple goals with great positioning in front of goals for the cross pass.

Angus was dangerous on the forward line, turning over plays and passing out the Finn and Lockie on the wings.

They did well playing the ball down the sides and passing to get goals. Both also snuck goals in for themselves.

Captain Amity made a great cross-pass which ended up behind the goalie and snuck over the line for a goal.

Alida was solid in defence, stopping balls from getting to goalie Alexander who had his work cut out for him as he made great saves and the team played a fantastic game.

Benalla Black goals: Angus Hayes and Talon McKenzie, 3. Amity Hurd and Lochie Johnson, 2. Finn Thompson, 1.

Benalla Orange goals: Luci Hurd, Erin Jenkins, Jack Chittick, 2. Kobe Rawlings, 1.

Under-10 Euroa vs GVGS

On the ball: Emma steals the ball for under-10 Euroa. Photo: Kate Parker Photo by KATE LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY

The under-10s surprised GVGS with their improvement, with all players gaining confidence and game skills.

The very foggy start made it hard to see the ball at times.

Teddy brought his solid defence up to the midfield this week, with Rhett pushing up towards goals.

Emma positioned well, and had some lovely runs up the field.

Under 12s vs Mooroopna:

The under-12s ran hard with no bench this week.

Brodie had a great game as goalie, saving lots of potential goals and was a great captain.

Amity held the defensive line well, pushing balls coming her way and running up to meet the strong Mooroopna side, as well as making some great forward passes as centre-forward.

Jack kept running throughout the game even when things got tricky, scoring a solid goal on the diagonal and unlucky to miss a second which ran along the baseline with too much spin pulling it back out.

Finn did great, going back for second and third attempts, with Steele backing up and doing some good tackles.

Goals: Jack Chittick, 1.

Under-17 Mooroopna vs Strikers

Mooroopna took on the fast Strikers, outmanoeuvring them this week for a solid 12 to 3 win.

Benalla senior team players went head-to-head, with Mooroopna’s Amber using her solid flat-stick tackles against Angus’s speedy Strikers legs.

His perseverance finally paid off with a goal, supported by Jacinta on the wing.

B Women and Men: Bye

Next Saturday’s Round 12 games are in Shepparton.

Running concurrently with the Australian Country Championships, the GVHA Round 12 games will all be played on Pitch 2.

8.40am under-10 vs Mooroopna

9.40am under-12 vs GVGS

10.30am under-14 Orange vs Echuca

11.25am under-14 Black vs GVGS

Friday 5.45pm under-17 vs SYC

1.30pm B Women vs Euroa

3pm B Men vs Mooroopna

For more information, please see Benalla Hockey on Facebook, or email benallahockey@gmail.com

— Lee Manning

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