There were collectively great fortunes for the two Shepparton outfits in the Goulburn Valley Hockey Association’s A-grade competition at the weekend.
Both Shepparton-based outfits simply could not be denied in their respective outings across a double-header on Sunday at Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex.
Strikers were first off the rank in taking on Echuca Moama, and there were no questions over the home side’s likelihood of surging into finals with a bang.
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Echuca Moama’s Jason Clancy gets a move on. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 7
Echuca Moama’s Thomas Morphett has a solid swing at it. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 7
Echuca Moama’s Ryan More scans upfield with a moment in possession. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 7
Strikers’ Ben Harman issues directions during a break. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 7
Echuca Moama’s Adrian Rose and Strikers’ Xavier McBain almost get tangled in a contest. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 7
Strikers’ Duncan Moodie lays off a quick pass. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 7
Strikers’ Ben Harman gets out to full extension for a long pass. Photo by Rechelle ZammitPerennial force Xavier McBain strong-armed his way back to the top of the league’s goal-scoring charts with a handy bag of four, the visitors holding virtually no answers to his prowess in moving two clear at 17 for the season.
Of course, it’s not like McBain’s dominance has always translated to huge scorelines, with SYC recently working around his hat-trick and overpowering Strikers in a 4-3 thriller.
On this occasion, though, he had more than enough help with five of his teammates finding the net all the same in what became a 9-2 rout.
“It was a good win and we needed it coming off the back of a couple of forfeits and getting the team back together this week,” McBain said.
“It’s been hard with some people being away, but it was good getting back into it.
“We’ve got our game plan back and guys like Sam Holland and Max Cole, two of our better players for the year, so we’re looking forward to our last game against Mooroopna and moving on to finals.
“Ryan Mackenzie is talking a big game and SYC wants to bring their best against us, but we’re looking forward to getting a few more wins and taking them out again.
“We’re also looking forward to watching our juniors in finals on Saturday morning with our under-12 and under-16 sides playing a granny, so we hope all the parents can make it down to watch.”
The result was yet another topsy-turvy turn in the series between these two sides, with all three of their completed games decided by at least five goals.
More importantly, though, Strikers would again claim second on a big day after falling to third earlier this month in what felt like a near-unthinkable sight.
Ladder leader SYC was similarly untroubled later that afternoon in meeting Mooroopna.
Matthew Irwin continued his rich vein of goal-scoring form with a brace supplemented by singles to Ryan Mackenzie, Axel Irwin and Nicholas Matthews in a 5-0 shutout win.
In between those contests was the Mooroopna women’s side wrapping up its Vic League 2 regular season at home to Werribee.
Kirrilly Gollan’s goal earned her side a 1-1 draw in a likely finals preview on Sunday, finishing fourth as Werribee took second.
In the local women’s draw, unbeaten leader Echuca Moama had a bye and second-placed Strikers took advantage with a huge 8-1 win over Benalla, led by a massive half-dozen from Victoria Charlesworth.
In the other clash on Saturday, SYC and Euroa played out a 2-2 draw.