Nhill Rangers continued to impress in a one-all draw with Kaniva Cobras. Nhill took the lead with a goal within minutes of the start of the game, and in an otherwise very even match, it took until midway through the third quarter for Kaniva to equalise.
While Nhill controlled more of the play in the last quarter, it was unable to penetrate the Cobras’ defence again, and the match ended in a tie.
The closest match in the women’s competition saw Kaniva overcome Nhill Thunderbirds by three goals to two.
After a scoreless first quarter, a converted penalty corner put Kaniva on the scoreboard soon after play resumed, but this was matched by a Nhill field goal just before halftime.
Kaniva again drew ahead early in the third quarter, but Nhill remained in the game with a second goal in the middle of the last quarter.
The game looked headed for a draw until a converted penalty corner with just under four minutes of play remaining put Kaniva ahead.
Despite some spirited play, Nhill was unable to reply in what little time remained and Kaniva maintained its undefeated start to the season.
The other two matches were not quite as close, with the Dimboola Roos defeating Warracknabeal and Yanac controlling its game against Horsham Jets right from the start for a comfortable win.
Dimboola Kangaroos have found themselves in unfamiliar territory, undefeated at the top of the under-16s ladder after a victory over Warrack Revengers, and Yanac Warriors also maintained their perfect opening to the season with a win over Horsham Bombers. In the closest match of the round, Nhill Leopards held on for a one-goal victory over Kaniva Raiders.
Hockey action returns to Dimboola for round three this weekend, which is headlined by two big games in the open division.
Yanac Tigers have started the season confidently as the only open team with two wins going into round three, and will present a big challenge for Kaniva Cobras, who have started their season with two draws.
Warrack Hoops are coming off the bye and are still to have the opportunity to show their best form, and although Horsham Hurricanes started their season last week with a loss to the Tigers, they should be a different team on the turf, which will make this an entertaining game that could go either way.
The first two rounds of this season have seen the top three teams in the women’s competition from last year all play a team that finished in the bottom half of the ladder, which has already created a gulf between the top and bottom halves of the women’s competition, but this is all about to change as teams from within these two groups begin to play each other.
Both Yanac and Kaniva will try to keep their perfect starts to the season going when they meet on Saturday evening, and the team closest to challenging the top three, Nhill Thunderbirds, will play current competition-leading Dimboola Roos on Friday night.
Although the remaining game is between two teams that have yet to register a win, it could be the closest match of the round.
Both Horsham Jets and Warracknabeal have struggled in their opening matches, and this encounter will be the perfect opportunity for them to calibrate their form against a more closely matched opponent.
Dimboola Kangaroos under-16s have the opportunity on Friday evening to confirm their two victories are a good indication of their new standard of play when they take on Nhill Leopards, the reigning premiers. After a win and a loss, Warrack Revengers will be looking to find some consistency when they play Horsham Bombers, and Yanac Warriors should remain undefeated after taking on the young Kaniva Raiders in the remaining game.
Round-two results –
Open: Yanac Tigers 7 (goals, S. Alexander 2, K. Croot, A. Zanker, T. Alexander, B. Alexander, E. Alexander; best, B. Alexander, T. Alexander, S. Alexander) d Horsham Hurricanes 0 (L. Simmons, J. Di Pietro, J. Hawke). Nhill Rangers 1 (L. Mills; J. Reichelt, L. Mills, J. Knoll, D. Clark) drew with Kaniva Cobras 1 (J. Clark; J. Clark, L. Schultz, T. Jorgensen).
Women: Yanac 5 (E. Alexander 2, M. Mackley 2, C. Alexander; E. Alexander, M. Mackley, S. Hedt, C. Alexander) d Horsham Jets 0 (J. Mackereth, L. Schilling, S. O’Connor, H. Mackereth). Kaniva 3 (N. Hutchins 2, I. Dickinson; N. Hutchins, L. Stimson, I. Dickinson) d Nhill Thunderbirds 2 (B. Clark 2; L. Clark, J. Rowe, K. Clark). Dimboola Roos 10 (A. Baker 3, A. Rintoule 2, N. Kuhnell 2, C. Elliott, J. Hauselberger, R. Hadzig; A. Baker, J. Haueselberger, T. Clark) d Warrack 0 (E. Williamson, D. Stimson, K. Ward, F. Johns).
Under-16s: Yanac Warriors 3 (H. Zanker 3; H. Zanker, A. Pedie, S. Hedt) d Horsham Bombers 0 (J. Mackereth, K. Besselaar, J. Luy). Nhill Leopards 1 (M. Sanhara; B. Cannell, J. Cannell, B. Clark) d Kaniva Raiders 0 (J. Beattie, R. Williams, L. Williams). Dimboola Kangaroos 4 (R. Williams, C. Elliott, T. Howard, L. Hauselberger; A. Pretorius, R. Hadzig, R. Williams) d Warrack Revengers 0 (R. Bish, S. Williamson, C. Peters).
Development program: Yanac Lowan Stars 3 (goals, E. Alexander, L. Rethus, M. Dart) v Horsham Black Hawks 1 (G. Porter). Nhill Bandits 3 (A. Marra, S. Bee, M. Chequer) v Kaniva Rampagers 2 (A. Bedford, A. Beattie). Warrack Avengers 3 (T. Flannery, R. Williams, L. Pervis) v Dimboola Kookaburras 4 (C. Wallace 2, L. Hauselberger 2).
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