Warm conditions greeted players and officials for the first round of the Wimmera Hockey Association’s winter season at Davis Park, Nhill on Saturday.
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The rematch of the 2017 open grand final between the Yanac Tigers and Kaniva Cobras finished with a scoreline that suggested a one-sided game.
However, it was a close and hard fought battle, with the reigning premiers able to make the most of more of their opportunities in front of goals.
The Tigers scored six times, with Jamie Harding finding the goals twice, and the Cobras twice, with Mathew McDonald’s looped the ball over the goalkeeper’s head being the most memorable.
A single goal by Jonathon Horsfall of the Horsham Hurricanes was all that separated his team from the Nhill Rangers, but it was enough to allow them to start the season with a rare win.
Once again the game was closer that what the scoreboard would suggest, with Nhill initially dictating play in the early stages. But the Hurricanes defended well to prevent any scoring in the first half.
Horsfall’s goal came 10 minutes into what was a very even second half of hockey, with both teams playing with nine players on the field, instead of the usual 11, due to the struggle to find players early in the season.
The Warrack Hoops and the Dimboola Burras always give an entertaining display of hockey, and this round was no exception.
In a tight and keenly fought game, the Burras won the first half, with Jarryd Williams scoring the only goal before the break and the Hoops unable to convert any of their chances.
A penalty corner conversion by Marcus Williamson soon after play resumed evened the scores, but the Burras regained the lead through an accurate shot by Zack Slater-Collard.
Relentless attacking by the Hoops allowed them to score a further three goals through Jordan Williamson, Jarrod Knoop and a second to Marcus Williamson.
Solid, co-ordinated defence at the other end prevented the Burras from matching this.
The Hoops finished with the win, but the Burras showed enough to prove that they have what it takes to match it with the leading teams this year.
In the women’s competition, the Dimboola Roos defeated the Warrack Women, the Nhill Thunderbirds overcame the Horsham Jets and the Yanac Women started their season with a win over the Kaniva Women.
