Finals action sets stunning season finish

The All Flags Premier League Finals series has kicked-off with a thrilling round of fixtures, with teams giving their all to reach the ultimate glory come Saturday 18 September.

Second-placed Reds faced-off against third-placed UWA in a scintillating contest at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University.

In a closely-fought contest, UWA managed to hold on to claim a 3-2 victory and book their place to take on Melville on Wednesday 8 September in the men’s Semi Final 1.

Harry Golding opened the scoring in the match for UWA in the 19^th minute but a quick reply from Kookaburra Blake Govers saw the sides at a 1-1 deadlock heading into half time.

Late in the third, UWA’s Frank Main pulled back the lead for UWA and a penalty corner goal from Daniel Timms in the 48^th minute proved to be build too strong of a lead for Reds to overcome, even with a late goal to Reds’ Aaron Kleinschmidt in the 52^nd minute.

Westside Wolves defeated Victoria Park 3-1 in a strong performance for the side and are now set to face Reds in the men’s Semi Final 2.

Westside Wolves scored thee unanswered goals up to half time, with a lone goal to Victoria Park’s Ben Taylor unable to give Vic Park a further spark resulting in their elimination from finals.

In the women’s competition, the contest between Victoria Park and Westside Wolves provided a thriller, with both teams scoring back-and-forth heading late into the match.

Victoria Park, with their four Hockeyroos players, proved to be too strong for Westside Wolves, narrowly holding off their pressure to claim a 3-2 victory, booking their place in the Grand Final.

Victoria Park now looks to be in the box seat to claim their second premiership in a row, after winning the side’s first ever Grand Final in the women’s competition in 2020.

UWA narrowly defeated Hale in the other women’s Semi Final and are now set to take on Westside Wolves this weekend.

In a back-and-forth contest, neither side were able to score heading into the final quarter of the match, with both teams’ opportunities going astray.

In the dying minutes of the match, UWA’s Britney De Silva provided the answer to their attacking woes, were her tomahawk finding the back of the net off a turnover from Hale, leading the side to a stunning 1-0 victory.

RESULTS

Saturday 4 September

Men’s Qualifying Final

Reds 2 defeated by UWA 3

Goals:

Reds – Blake Govers (20’), Aaron Kleinschmidt (52’)

UWA – Harry Golding (19’), Frank Main (43’), Daniel Timms (48’)

Men’s Elimination Final

Victoria Park 1 defeated by Westside Wolves 3

Goals:

Vic Park – Ben Taylor (30’)

Wolves – Simon Benetti (13’), Jake Harvie (14’), Alistair Murray (17’)

Sunday 5 September

Women’s Semi Final 2

Victoria Park 3 defeated Westside Wolves 2

Goals:

Vic Park – Karri Somerville (5’), Renee Rockliff (38’), Harriet Collins (39’)

Wolves – Jessica Freedman (24’), Madi Ratcliffe (43’)

Women’s Semi Final 1

UWA 1 defeated Hale 0

Goals:

UWA – Britney De Silva (55’)