Back to back bronze medals for Perth Thundersticks

The Perth Thundersticks have made a strong finish to their 2023 JDH Hockey One campaign, taking home back-to-back bronze medals after holding off NSW Pride by one goal.

The Perth Thundersticks looked to bounce back from a heartbreaking semi-final defeat when they went head-to-head with the NSW Pride during the 3^rd vs 4^th Playoff on Sunday 26 November.

With both sides looking to score early, the early exchanges of the opening quarter resembled more of a territory battle.

Although the Pride seemed to get the better of the Thundersticks by swarming them in defence, a fantastic run by Neasa Flynn saw them awarded the first penalty corner.

However, the opportunity to score was foiled by NSW goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram, leaving the contest in a deadlock with neither side scoring by quarter time.

The stalemate continued into the second quarter as the contest picked up pace.

It wasn’t until the 24^th minute when the deadlock would finally break as Penny Squibb scored her fourth penalty corner goal for the season to put the Thundersticks in front.

As the Pride ramped up the pressure to respond, Neasa Flynn made several good runs towards attack.
However, the clock would run out, leaving the Thundersticks hold a narrow 1-0 advantage at the main break.

The fast-paced, thrilling contest continued in the third term with NSW continuing to throw everything at the Thundersticks.

Multiple penalty corner attempts were thwarted by strong defensive pressure, with the likes of Squibb, Lizzy Duguid and Pippa Morgan putting their bodies on the line.

A late counterattack by the Thundersticks went begging as the Thundersticks weathered the storm to lead 1-0 at the final change.

The Pride showed desperation to stay in the contest during the final term, throwing everything at the Thundersticks to drive the ball forward.

However, the Thundersticks maintained their strong press to maintain their lead.

After plenty of back and forth, Karri Somerville and Liné Malan linked up to extend the Thundersticks’ lead with a penalty corner goal.

Just as it looked as though NSW were being dismantled up forward, opportunities came knocking in the form of penalty corners.

However, it was a penalty stroke that helped the Pride get on the board, with Kaitlin Nobbs sneaking one past Duguid.

Duguid continued to be ‘too good’ when it came to the subsequent conversion attempt, stopping Greta Hayes in her tracks.

When all was said and done, the Thundersticks held on to win 2-1, bringing the bronze medal back to the West coast for the second year in a row.

Captain Rachel Frusher said the team were more efficient inside the circle which really helped them on the road to victory.

“[NSW Pride] had so many corners in that last quarter but we had great defence and Lizzy ‘Too Good’ Duguid played really well, especially in that one on one,” she said.

“To come out and win today, it really puts a nice feeling in our hearts.”

Squibb, who was named the JDH Player of the Match, said she was thrilled to get the win after a hard contest with NSW.

“I actually enjoy the hard contest – we always have them with NSW,” she said.

“It was tough, and it goes both ways so it’s always a good battle.

“In terms of our game, I just try to do my job at the back, we’re all very simple in terms of making sure we do our job and that’s all we need to do.”

Squibb said it was nice to finish the season with a win after securing two finals berths in as many years, coming away with the bronze medal both times.

“Next year we’ll be pushing for that gold medal again,” she said.

“We’ve been progressing through the whole tournament so it’s nice to put out a performance like that today against a quality side in NSW.”


Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 2 (Penny Squibb 24', Liné Malan 49')
NSW Pride 1 (Kaitlin Nobbs 56')

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 3. Neasa Flynn, 4. Elyssa Melville, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 7. Penny Squibb, 8. Georgia Wilson, 9. Shanea Tonkin, 10. Jesse Reid, 11. Rachel Frusher (C), 12. Liné Malan, 13. Lexie Pickering, 14. Elizabeth Duguid (GK), 17. Annie Gibbs, 18, Renee Rockliff, 19. Georgina Dowd, 20. Karri Somerville, 23. Lou-Ellen Edwards (GK).

NSW Pride team: 1. Alice Arnott, 3. Jocelyn Bartram (GK), 7. Laura Reid, 8. Greta Hayes, 10. Chelsea Holmes, 11. Estelle Hughes, 12, Grace Jeffrey (GK), 15. Hannah Kable, 17. Miri Maroney, 20. Kaitlin Nobbs, 24. Maddison Smith (C), 25. Emma Spinks, 26. Grace Stewart, 27. Kendelle Tait, 29. Meike Van Haeringen, 30. Mariah Williams, 31. Abigail Wilson.