New shirts launched at Benalla Hockey Club

By Contributed

Jul 18, 2022

New gear: The U10s received their new Tigers shirts this week, (back) Finn, Coach Lee, Rachel, Will, Steele, Darcey, a/coach Jack, Phoenix, Mackenzie, (front) Elodie, Teddy, Alexander, Alaric, Anthony, Rhett and Emma. Photo: Lily Stewart

The Benalla Tigers proudly launched their new playing shirts on Thursday, with fun hockey games followed by a free barbecue for players and families.

The new junior shirts were partly funded by a Sport and Recreation Victoria Sporting Club Grant Round 1 2020-21.

Senior shirts were supported by existing local sponsors Ultimate Refrigeration and Heating, Nutrien, Fobia and Bridgestone, and new sponsors Spot 4 Ice Cream, North East Life, SportsPower, Living Here, Schneider Electric and Coles.

Under-12 Benalla vs Mooroopna:

Darcy Mort and Finn Thompson played solid games in defence supporting goalie Annie Ferguson, with Lily Stewart sending some great balls through to the wings.

Alida Ferguson and Luci Hurd positioned well on the wings, sending passes into attack for Amity Hurd to slot in an early goal. Luci followed suit with a solo run soon afterwards, but hit from outside the circle so didn’t score.

Driving for the ball: Jack Chittick chases down the ball as Amity Hurd prepares a slap hit towards the wing. Photo: Angela Hurd

Angus Hayes and captain Jack Chittick teamed up well through the centre, with Jack working the ball down to score a great goal through Mooroopna’s defence.

A great team run in the dying minutes saw Mackenzie Mort hit in a fantastic goal — two seconds after the siren so it didn’t count. The 2:2 draw was sweet enough after plenty of attacking play and great defence.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 — Jack Chittick, 2 — Angus Hayes, 1 — Lily Stewart.

Coach’s award — Mackenzie Mort.

Under-14 Mooroopna-Benalla vs GVGS Blue:

The U14s played fantastic hockey, really fighting for the ball and positioning well, with great passing forwards into their circle.

Angus Hayes enjoyed pushing forwards on the wing in his first U14 game alongside inner Erin Jenkins, both helping Abbie Vaivars to score early.

With rock solid defence in Callum Thompson and great turnovers from half backs Sophie Winkler and Lily Stewart, GVGS Blue was unable to score until late in the game, finishing tied at 1:1.

Umpire best and fairest votes: 3 — Mia Ponting, 2 — Riley Law, 1 — Lachlan McKinnon.

Precision: Mackenzie Mort passes towards goal in the U12s draw, with Jack in support. Photo: Angela Hurd

Under-17 Mooroopna-Benalla vs SYC:

Friday night under lights on saw the U17s defence in Kiah Atkinson, Amber Armstrong and Sophie Morton tested by a determined SYC.

The whole team played well together but were defeated 4:1.

B-Women Benalla-SYC vs Euroa:

The B-Women played a great game against Euroa, with the final 1:1 tie showing the even competition.

With many away, all players stepped up their individual games with great teamwork assisted by the U14 girls.

Inner Erin Jenkins kept driving into the circle, narrowly missing a goal herself and setting up with a pass to Lucia DeBona through to Katrina Brown who ran through to score.

Sophie Morton placed some stellar hits out from full back, forcing through Euroa’s strong wall, and wings Suze Wright and Heather Peate also narrowly missed goals.