Benalla Hockey stars light up competition

By Contributed

Jun 20, 2022

Fun night out: Benalla’s U12s enjoyed an intra-Club practice match on Saturday, with Luci and goalie Alina playing for Benalla Grey and Amity playing for Orange. Photos: Angela Hurd.

GVHA Hockey Round 6

Under-12 Benalla Orange vs Benalla Grey Practice match:

The U12 Benalla Tigers played themselves in Benalla this week, after Euroa cancelled because of illness.

Jack Chittick made some great leading attacks for Benalla Grey, using newcomer Gaige Donoghue-Haines on the right wing.

Luci Hurd positioned well on the left wing, channelling the ball forwards through the centre.

Captain and full back Bjorn McCulloch was again solid in defence, meaning goalie Alida Ferguson barely raised a sweat.

Darcy Mort teamed up well with Jack through the centre, making a strong play into the circle and scoring a fantastic goal off a rebound from goalie Mackenzie Mort for Grey to lead 1:0 at half-time.

Benalla Orange rallied for the second half, with centre forward Alexander Orlov passing back to captain Cael Johnson who made strong passes out wide to the wings.

Amity Hurd made a fast break from the left wing down the centre, with Cael running through to assist and score a fast goal.

Serenity Donoghue positioned well all game, calling for the ball and tackling strongly.

Full back Lochie Johnson initiated another fast run through the centre by Orange, passing to Serenity then Alexander to Cael who ran hard to score a second goal and win with only 30 seconds remaining!

Coach’s award to Amity Hurd.

In the mix: Benalla Orange makes a fast run with the scores at 1:1 all, with Amity on the ball and Serenity, Alexander and Cael in support, and Benalla Grey’s Bjorn, Darcy and Jack defending.

Under-14 Mooroopna-Benalla vs SYC:

The U14s played Friday night against a strong SYC, managing to hold them to just six goals.

Callum Thompson played a stellar game as full back, repelling many fast attacks, assisted by half-backs Lily Stewart and Sophie Winkler.

Inner Erin Jenkins made some fast breaks in the second half, almost breaking through to the circle and earning the Most Valuable Player award for the game.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Cameron Dundon, 2 – Abbie Vaivars, 1 – Lily Stewart.

I’ll take it from here: Jack executing the perfect takeover steal from Serenity.

Under-17 Mooroopna-Benalla vs Strikers/SYC

Benalla’s U17s battled against Strikers/SYC, with Amber Armstrong, Sophie Morton and Kiah Atkinson all tested in defence. All played hard, making many turnovers to forwards including Sarah Farley but were beaten 8:0 by the stronger side.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Kiah Atkinson, 2 – Josiah Moore, 1 – Mitch Darlow.

Going for goal: Cael lines up to score Benalla Orange’s second goal, with Alexander, Amity, Luci, Serenity, Bjorn and goalie Alina all positioning well.

B-Women Benalla-SYC vs Strikers:

The B-Women played under lights on Friday night, with Strikers scoring quickly after an airborne rebound by Lee Manning right on the goal line.

Lucia DeBona played an awesome game, tackling constantly down the left wing.

Benalla’s midfield pushed hard through to forwards Mel Gillies, Katrina Brown and Suze Wright, and after four near misses a fast break in the fourth quarter saw Heidi Perry finally score from the top of the circle. Strikers won 3:1.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 – Katrina Brown, 2 – Kiah Atkinson, 1 – Heidi Perry.

GVHA games this weekend, Sat 25 June:

10.00am: U12 Benalla vs GVGS

11.15am: U14 Mooroopna-Benalla vs Strikers

12.30pm: B Women Benalla-SYC vs Mooroopna