Saturday’s B grade final was for many hockey fans, the show-stopper.
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None of the association’s results were blowouts by any stretch, but the B grade showdown provided the electric shot-for-shot play through the middle that commanded collective gasps and exasperation from the crowd.
The B grade Grand Stars eventually won the day over Elders, picking up a 1-0 result in golden goal extra time after both goal keepers had provided a concrete backbone to the defensive efforts.
Association president Steve James said the B grade was “a highlight of the day”
“It was like watching an arm wrestle, the skills among the players was incredible and the ball was back and forth throughout.”
Earlier in the day, Grand Hotel had won the C grade in hot conditions.
However, James said it was “probably the best game of C grade played all season”, adding they “just had so much energy”.
After a scorching start, a southerly wind blew up around the start of ladies play, which cooled the Bega Valley Fields.
“We were blessed, it was an unreal day and perfect playing conditions,” James said.
In A grade ladies, the strong Elders outfit claimed their fourth-straight premiership with a 2-0 win over United.
Elders were awarded two early strokes on goal with Joccoaa Rogers sinking the first and Ebony Pointon planting the second in the corner of the net.
United were able to reply with some forward pressure of their own, but Elders keeper Sam Earnshaw proved unflappable with some great saves including palming off a powerful waist-high strike that certainly would have found net.
James said that Leigh Rogers was absent from the United outfit and the Australian Masters rep could have tipped the balance.
“With a full team, it could have gone either way,” he said.
Bec Louise and Kath Sirl were solid through the middle for United, while Sirl was sidelined momentarily for a dangerous swing.
Jasmyn Smith, Joccoaa and Emma Rogers all had good games for Elders, while Pointon provided great support up front on the attack.
In the mens’ round, the defending premiers – the Magpies – captained by Troy Johnson were pressured by the Pambula outfit, but held out to win 3-2 for their third premiership on the run.
James commended Pambula’s effort, a man down in the nine-a-side contest. He praised Nick Hoyne alongside some of the Pambula young guns as being fast and skilled to keep pace with the Magpies outfit.
Following the games, the association hosted a presentation evening at the Bega Civic Centre with almost 200 in attendance.
“The turnout was unbelievable and for me, it was pretty amazing to see everyone there.”