The East Gippsland Hockey Association grand finals were played at the WORLD precinct last Saturday with Swan Reach to the fore with three premiership victories.
The weather was far from impressive, with persistent rain falling for the majority of the day, but it certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm and spirits of the players.
Games started at 9am with the under 14s game between Maffra and Sale.
Maffra didn’t give Sale a chance to score and came through with a 3-0 win, with the best-on-ground for the match going to Maffra’s Isaac McInnes.
Next up it was the under 16s game between Swan Reach and Sale, which was a very close contest early, with both sides having opportunities.
It could have gone either way but Swan Reach’s first goal changed the course of the match, Cole Murphy scoring after receiving a precision hit across the field by teammate Ayrton Corben.
The crowd went wild and it was Swan Reach’s game after Alex Wong’s ball made it to the back of the net.
The final score saw Swan Reach 2-0 winners and best-on-ground went to Ayrton Corben.
The under 18s match was between two home teams, Swan Reach and Nagle.
It was another cracking game in freezing conditions but both teams played hard and wanted the win.
Nagle was unable to stop three blistering goals from Swan Reach but it worked hard to stop many more.
Swan Reach hasn’t conceded a game in two seasons and came home with the win to nail it again in 2024.
The final score 3-0, with best-on-ground going to Hayley Pruscino (Swan Reach).
The women’s game was up next between Sale and Maffra, who engaged in another very close game, going goal-for-goal, and ending in suffles after a 3-3 draw.
Sale came home with the win (3-1) and best-on-ground went to Jo Buckler (Maffra).
To end the day the open teams played, Swan Reach taking on Maffra.
It was a passionate game between these two rivals with many cards handed out by the professional umpires who came for the day from Melbourne to officiate.
Swan Reach was ruthless giving Maffra a hockey clinic with a massive win 9-0, with best-on-ground going to Josh Ward (Swan Reach), who scored five goals.
Swan Reach Hockey Club will be looking for new players of all ages next season.
The club will be looking to host Hook into Hockey clinics in the new year through the local primary schools with assistance of Hockey Victoria.
It is also going to be at the Children’s Week Event and Expo in Lucknow in late October.
East Gippsland Hockey Association will restart in April 2025.
Osbourne Borland, Paul Corben, Rebecca Corben, Reegan Quin, Ryan Pruscino, Tajwyn Corben and Tyson Wilson. (PS)
