WARRACK Hoops and Kaniva Cobras are all but equal on the open ladder after round 13 of the Wimmera Hockey Association at Yanac on Saturday.
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Only goal difference is keeping the Hoops in the top two and the Cobras just outside after their fitting 3-3 draw.
Both teams scored in the first six minutes of their game, before going into half-time at two-all.
Braden Clark scored a goal either side of half-time for the Cobras.
Consistent half back Hamish Wagenknecht shone for the Hoops, while the Cobras' fast-footed goalie Matthew Wallis was named his team's best.
Yanac Tigers and Dimboola Men played an exciting and close match.
The Tigers had many short corners but could not convert, while Dimboola also enjoyed scoring opportunities but could not convert.
Nathan Alexander scored the lone goal for the game in the dying minutes to give Tigers the one-nil win.
Bradley Alexander was the Tigers' best, while centre-half back Nathan Jorgensen was named best for Dimboola.
Dimboola's attack was boosted by the help of an extra four female players filling in making a total of five female players in the team.
Horsham Hurricanes enjoyed a big five-nil win at the expense of Nhill Rangers to move off the bottom of the open ladder.
The Hurricanes shared the goals around five different players after scoring the first in the opening two minutes of the game to get off to a flying start.
They scored twice in the first half and three more times after the break.
Paul Mackereth shone at inner for Hurricanes, also scoring a goal, while Mont Miller was again a reliable full back for the Rangers.
In the women's division, Nhill Thunderbirds claimed a hard-fought 4-2 win over Horsham Highlanders.
The Thunderbirds scored late in the first half to lead at the break, before a fast second half followed, with Nhill running out the game well.
Thunderbirds inner Stephanie Daly was named her side's best, while half back Mikaela Turvey was the Highlanders' best.
Lauren Bendall, among Nhill's best, scored a hat-trick which gives her a narrow lead on the women's goal-scoring tally with 12, while former Highlanders captain Carmel McFarlane scored a goal on her return to the side.
Top teams Yanac Women and Dimboola Women both had plenty of opportunities to score in their match, which the Yanac side won three-nil.
Erin Alexander scored a goal and was named Yanac's best, while Carmel Beattie scored twice and Elizabeth Klinge was best for Dimboola.
In the lower order, Kaniva Women and Warrack Women played out a nil-all draw. Both sides had their share of attack with neither able to convert.
Rachel Clark was named Kaniva's best, while Alana Argent was best for Warrack.
In the junior division, Yanac Warriors scored an 11-nil win over Dimboola Kookaburras, with centre half back Todd Alexander converting two goals.
Nhill Leopards and Horsham Bombers played out a 2-2 draw, while Kaniva Raiders earned a hard-fought four-nil win.