2023 Hockey WA Indoor Ric Charlesworth Classic | Results

Preparations kicked off for the new indoor hockey season as Kingsway Indoor Stadium was taken over for the 2023 Hockey WA Indoor Ric Charlesworth Classic, supported by the City of Wanneroo.

The Suns sweeped the competition during the two-day tournament that kicked off on Friday 13 October, winning both the Men's and Women's Grand Finals in exciting contests.

Three teams across the men's and women's competitions competed in a round-robin tournament before the top teams faced off in grand finals on Saturday 14 October.

Along with a chance for players to prepare for the upcoming indoor club season, the tournament provided a selection opportunity for the Hockey Australia Indoor National Championships, which are set to take place in Canberra in January.

WOMEN'S

Despite suffering a narrow 3-2 loss to the Breakers on Friday night, the Suns shone bright during the second day of the tournament, going on to win the Women's Grand Final.

The Suns held off the Highlanders 5-3 in an action-packed match to kick off day two, scraping through to the Grand Final, while Breakers secured their spot with a 2-2 tie with the Highlanders.

The Grand Final seemed to reach an early stalemate with neither side giving each other any leeway, until Shanae Wardrope broke through late in the opening term to get the Suns on the board.

Although the Breakers found a response via Madison Woods, Kimberley Hocking ensured the Suns held the advantage by the main break with a late goal in the second quarter.

While the Breakers managed to level the score with a Laura Wilson goal during the third quarter, the Suns began to run riot over the competition, employing strong defence and further goals via Wardrope and Hocking to secure the 5-2 win.

MEN'S

The Suns set a blistering Pace during the Men's tournament, securing huge victories to charge through the competition and win the Grand Final without dropping a single game.

Five goals via Mitchell Pace and hat-tricks via Ryan Pace and Kirby Hobbs blinded the Breakers on Friday night, kicking off the tournament with a decisive 11-2 victory.

While the Highlanders pulled off a convincing 9-1 victory against the Breakers to kick off day two, it was clear the Suns and the Highlanders would be a hotly contested match.

Although the Highlanders were impressive during the final match of the pool stage - including four goals by jack Kruger, the Suns held strong to win 7-5 that included a hat-trick from Mitchell Pace and two goals from Hobbs.

From the outset, the Grand Final was a high-intensity and fast-paced contest with the Suns breaking through to take the early lead.

As Ryan & Mitchell Pace continued to show dominance up forward, the Suns kept the Highlanders' scoring opportunities to a minimum throughout the first half.

Following the half-time break, the Highlanders kicked into high gear with goals via Jack Kruger and Andrew Vaitekenas levelling the scores.

The contest seemed to reach a stalemate until a fifth goal for the Suns sealed the deal, edging out the Highlanders 5-4 to win the Grand Final.

FULL RESULTS

Friday 13 October

Women's

Breakers def Suns 3-2

Goals (Breakers): Christine Spry, Scarlett Huston, 2.

Goals (Suns): Maddie De Silva, Kim Hocking

Men's 

Suns def Breakers 11-2

Goals (Breakers): Liam Neaves, Michael Nicoli

Goals (Suns): Simon Naughtin, Ryan Pace, 3, Mitchell Pace, 5, Kirby Hobbs, 3.

Saturday 14 October

Women's

Breakers draw Highlanders 2-2

Goals (Breakers): Madison Woods, Lily Mann.

Goals (Highlanders): Sienna Berry, Sienna Joubert.

Suns def Highlanders 5-3

Goals (Highlanders): Sienna Berry, Kiara Wardrope, Joy Rimmer.

Goals (Suns): Shanae Wardrope, Maddison De Silva, Caitlin Bentley, Chloe Forbes, Kimberley Hocking.

Men's

Highlanders def Breakers 9-1

Goals (Breakers): Harrison Parkes

Goals (Highlanders): Andrew Vaitekenas, 4, Jack Kruger, James Naughtin, 2, Blake Stuart, Jacob Woods.

Suns def Highlanders 7-5

Goals (Highlanders): Jack Kruger, 4, Jacob Woods.

Goals (Suns): Mitchell Pace, 3, Damon Greary, Kirby Hobbs, 2, Simon Naughtin.

Grand Finals

Women's

Suns def Breakers 5-2

Goals (Suns): Shanae Wardrope, 2, Kim Hocking, 3.

Goals (Breakers): Madison Woods, Laura Wilson.

Men's - 2:45pm

Suns def Highlanders 5-4

Goals (Highlanders): Jack Kruger, 2, Andrew Vaitekenas, 2.

Goals (Suns): Ryan Pace, 2, Mitchell Pace, 2, Kirby Hobbs.