Big day out for Benalla Hockey Club

By Contributed

Aug 1, 2022

Benalla B-women’s team, back, from left, Heidi Perry, Lee Manning, Millie White, Bree Harris, Katrina Brown and Sue Trevaskis. Front, from left, Prue White, Sue Wright, Amber Armstrong, Lucia DeBona, Sophie Morton, Kiah Atkinson, Sarah Farley, Jess Trevaskis and Donna Turner. Photo: Erin Jenkins

Under-12 Benalla vs Strikers:

Benalla really took it to Strikers on Saturday, with a very early sneaky goal by Kobe Rawlings which shot in under their sticks.

Goalie Annie Ferguson had a stellar game, following each ball in onto her pads and repelling almost all of them.

Full-backs Abbie Thannhauser and Amity Hurd defended solidly, with Amity belting many back out to half-backs Alexander Orlov and Jack Chittick.

Captain Alina Ferguson and Luci Hurd created space on the wings, pushing forwards for three almost-goals.

Coach’s award – Finn Thompson.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 — Annie Ferguson (GK), 2 — Amity Hurd, 1 — Lucinda Hurd.

Under-14 Mooroopna-Benalla vs Echuca:

A frosty start had the under-14s determined to keep their form when they met Echuca on their home turf, holding Echuca to just one goal until the dying minutes when they levelled for a 2-2 draw.

Half-back Sophie Winkler kept tackling and pushing forwards, and inner Erin Jenkins made a clean pass into the circle to Abbie Vaivards to score.

Xavier Kramer continued his great positioning, drawing players wide on the wing and reliably being on the goal post.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 — Abbie Vaivards, 2 — Riley Law, 1 — Cameron Dundon.

Under-17 Mooroopna-Benalla vs Echuca:

The under-17s played great hockey against the tough Echuca side, that won 4-0 with a home field advantage.

Amber Armstrong was rock solid in defence, supporting Kiah Atkinson with Charlie Grimwade returning to assist.

Sarah Farley and Sophie Morton pushed hard on the forward line, but Mooroopna-Benalla was unable to score.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 — Josiah Moore, 2 — Amber Armstrong, 1 — Millar Carter.

On the move: Benalla’s Kiah Atkinson defending in the circle, with Sarah Farley and Amber Armstrong in hot pursuit. Photo: Ralph Lampa

B-women:

The B-women ran hard against Strikers, with Sophie Morton successfully tagging-out their best striker all game.

A quarter-time pep talk had the Tigers pumped, with Lucia DeBona making some skilful plays through the centre and supporting Katrina Brown through into the circle to score.

With a steady onslaught, full-backs Bree Harris and Millie White forced many turnovers, and Kiah Atkinson channelled well, but the strong defence was not enough to halt the Strikers 5-1 win.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 — Kiah Atkinson, 2 — Prue White (GK), 1 — Millie White.

GVHA games this weekend: