THE Far South Coast Hockey Association finals will hit fever pitch at the Bega Valley Fields tomorrow.
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It was a week of upsets in the major and minor semi-finals with the Tathra Youstabees going down to Grand Hotel A reserve and Elders A grade losing to the Tathra Babes.
Elders will take on the Grand Hotel A team, which claimed a win over United in a penalty strokes shootout 3-2.
Grand Hotel midfielder Nikki Smith said the squad had “come good at the right time” with a full roster for the finals.
Smith combines with Lisa Griffin in the attack, while Shelley Boyle and Caitlin Johnson combine to form a strong defence.
Fiona Holmes provides plenty of utility for the team, which will be needed to take on the Elders squad.
Michelle Bartlett and Casey Curtis are power strikers defensively and through the midfield, while the girls in pink also have some pace players.
Rosie Gray will provide plenty of burst potential and is a danger player from out wide.
In the men’s division, the Magpies outshone Candelo in a thrilling 4-2 win.
A tomahawk shot at goal, mid-dive by Jake Summerell was described as “the goal of the year” by spectators last week.
Magpies coach Bob Deighton said the squad was now “quietly confident” of picking up a win over Pambula on the back of their solid showing last week.
“The Magpies have struggled at times with their structure and general talk on the field during the season,” Deighton said.
However, he said Captain Stewart Smith led his team well, issueing orders from the full back position and the team responded well.
“The defensive half-line led by centre Bailey Young had a great game, turning defence into attack by feeding balls into space for their forwards.
“It allowed Daniel Smith to shine with three goals and Jake Summerell to chip in with his goal of the season.”
The Pambula squad boasts plenty of experience and has given the Magpies a difficult challenge during the season.
“They boast a lot of talented hockey players, especially with stalwart Ken Heyhorn and young up-and-coming stars Matt and Lachlan Simms,” Deighton said.
The Youstabees will be out to redeem themselves when they take on the Pambula A reserve squad.
The Tathra team had only lost two games in the season proper, but took a shock loss to the Grand Hotel outfit last week.
The Pambula A reserve claimed their place in the preliminary final with a stunning goal in extra time against Candelo.
In the B grade Pambula will again feature with the Thunderstorms set to take on the Candelo B team.
There will be a full day of action with the juniors to kick off proceedings from 9.30am.
Juniors and minkey players take the field from 10am, while the B grade clash starts at 11am.
The A reserve and A grade matches will start at 1pm and the headline men’s match will play on the main field at 2.30pm.