Hockey
30 May, 2025
Hockey completes first full round this weekend
By Saturday evening, the Wimmera hockey season will have reached a significant milestone, when each team will have played all opponents once, providing a good indication of where each stands within their division.
However, there are still several big games to be played to reach that point.
Round five starts on Friday evening when Yanac and Dimboola will clash for the outright lead on the Women’s ladder, and as both are currently undefeated, outright top place on the ladder is on the line, along with bragging rights.
The match between the Nhill Thunderbirds and Horsham Jets will also hold some interest as both suffered narrow losses last weekend and will want to regain some form as they strive to establish themselves in the top half of the ladder.
The last game of the round will see Kaniva and Warrack play, with the former team looking to remain in touch with the competition leaders and the latter still looking for their first win for 2025.
The Yanac Tigers will finish the round on top of the open ladder despite having the bye, unless the Warrack Hoops score a big win over the Kaniva Cobras.
Despite this incentive, the Hoops will need to initially focus on just the win, as they haven’t played for three weeks due to byes, and although the Cobras have been a bit hot and cold this season, they are more than capable of matching the Hoops.
The Horsham Hurricanes are playing some entertaining hockey and, after their solid performance last weekend against the Cobras, should be able to hold off the improving Nhill Rangers in the other open match.
In the under 16 competition, the Dimboola Kangaroos have shown some significant improvement this year but face a big test when they take on the undefeated Yanac Warriors on Friday evening.
Regardless of the result, the Kangaroos will reach this milestone point in the season well above their fifth-place finish last season.
The Warrack Revengers have the chance to solidify their place in the top four when they play the Kaniva Raiders, and although recent form suggests that the Revengers should win, this game could go either way depending on the personal each puts on the pitch.
The Nhill Leopards suffered their first loss for the season at the hands of the competition-leading Warriors last week, but should bounce back when they take on the Horsham Bombers, who are yet to taste victory in 2025.
After this round, the whole competition has a week off while the senior country championships are held in Bendigo over the King’s Birthday long weekend.
Round five – Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre
Friday May 30
6.30pm: under 16 – Yanac Warriors v Dimboola Kangaroos
8pm: women – Yanac Women v Dimboola Roos
Saturday May 31
9.30am: under 16 – Nhill Leopards v Horsham Bombers
11am: under 16 – Warrack Revengers v Kaniva Raiders
12.30pm – development program Warrack Avengers v Kaniva Rampagers, Yanac Lowan Stars v Dimboola Kookaburras, Nhill Bandits v Horsham Black Hawks
1.30pm: open – Nhill Rangers v Horsham Hurricanes
3pm: open – Warrack Hoops v Kaniva Cobras
4.30pm: women – Nhill Thunderbirds v Horsham Jets
6pm: women – Warrack Women v Kaniva Women