Good luck to FHC’s Sam Ellis in the Grand Final.
Semi Final 2 – VIC Vipers 2 def WA Diamonds 1
Goals
VIC: Erica Trahar (21 FG) Claire Messent (70 PC)
WA: Searle (33 PC)
In today’s 2nd Semi Final, hosts WA Diamonds faced the VIC Vipers in a replay of the Round 7 match, where WA won 3?2 in a thrilling and tight contest. Both teams would have analyzed what worked and what didn’t in the Round 7 match and looked for new ways to trouble the opposition this time around. VIC started the stronger of the teams, with them doing most of the attacking in the early stages of this Semi Final. There effort paid off at the 21st minute mark when some confusion in the Diamonds defence structure saw Erica Trahar able to slot it home from close range after an shot on target, was blocked by WA Goalkeeper Kate Hubble. WA then started to make some nice runs forward of their own, earning a few corners. The first one was struck strongly by Jemma Buckley but unluckily for the Diamonds, struck the outside of the right goal post and then was cleared by the VIC defence. Shortly after WA won another PC, this time though they made the most of the chance, as a nice pass by defender Kobie McGurk, found Jodie Searle unmarked on the right baseline to tap into the net from close range.
After the interval, the tightness of the game continued with the battle of the midfield stars, the highlight of the match with Diamonds Ash Nelson and Kate Denning battling hard against Kary Chau and Claire Messent for the Vipers. The forwards for both teams were struggling to find space and the best opportunities for goals in the match would be from Penalty corners earned. As time ran down it looked highly likely that it could go to extra time, however the Vipers had one last chance after winning a penalty corner with 2 minutes to run on the clock. The ball was trapped nicely and the shot bounced of the crossbar which fell down in front of the keeper and was scrambled home in the chaos by Claire Messent, to break WA hearts and send VIC into the final to face the NSW Arrows at 5pm. WA will now take on QLD at 2.30pm tomorrow in a battle for the Bronze.
Go to Hockey Australia website for more details.
GOOD LUCK SAM !!!