H1 MATCH REPORT: Perth Thundersticks vs HC Melbourne

The Perth Thundersticks Men’s team have stunned Hockey Club Melbourne with huge come-from-behind victory, while the Women’s team have maintained their undefeated record.

Men

The Perth Thundersticks have achieved their first outright win of the season, upsetting Hockey Club Melbourne by just one goal in a stellar fourth-quarter performance.

It was an even start with both the Thundersticks and HC Melbourne making a charge towards goal.

However, it would be Brodee Foster that would draw the first blood after a great receive and tomahawk shot between Johan Durst’s legs to notch the first goal during the ninth minute.

The lead was short-lived as Hockey Club Melbourne fired back in a big way, with Damon Steffens scoring off a penalty stroke and then Peter Scott converting to take the lead 2-1 by quarter time.

Both sides continued to be evenly matched during the early stages of the second quarter, with plenty of back and forth.

Although the Thundersticks defence remained solid, HC Melbourne managed to extend their lead even further as Cooper Burns scored a frantic field goal.

Starkie would remain solid in the goals, preventing the field conversion and leaving the scores at 1-3 at half time.

The third quarter saw HC Melbourne starting to take control of the match, with the Thundersticks struggling to charge past the opposition towards the circle.

Although HC Melbourne would once again extend their lead with a Kade Leigh goal at the 35^th minute, the Thundersticks stepped up in defence to stay in the match.

At the final change, the Thundersticks trailed 1-4.

The Thundersticks returned to the turf with a new sense of purpose during the fourth quarter, earning a penalty corner goal from Tom Wickham to stage a late comeback.

As HC Melbourne looked to stifle the Thundersticks’ opportunities, Foster would notch another impressive goal under pressure, diving to tap the ball through.

The Thundersticks continued their determined efforts, earning a penalty stroke via James Day to bring the scores level, quickly followed by a successful conversion by Jake Harvie to complete the comeback.

When all was said and done, the Thundersticks left HC Melbourne stunned 5-4 in their first outright win of the season.

Co-captain Jake Harvie said while getting the win was fantastic, there will be more to work on before next weekend’s match against Adelaide Fire.

“We’ve just got to have a bit of a look at our defending and probably all across the park,” he said.

“[HC Melbourne] clearly had a good plan with some freedom and letting guys run the ball and go one-on-one and they did that really well, particularly in the first half.

“It’s really impressive from them and for us, they’ve identified an area where we maybe need to sharpen up a little.

“Hopefully it’s a good sign that we may be going back to our game plan under pressure a little bit more, but we’ll keep looking at that and reviewing it.

“Just really proud of the guys to grind out a win this time around.”

Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 5 (Foster 9’/56’, Wickham 48’, Day 57’, J.Harvie 57’)
Hockey Club Melbourne 4 (Steffens 11’, Scott 11’, Burns 29’, Leigh 35’)

Perth Thundersticks team: 3. Brayden King, 4. Jake Harvie (C), 5. Tom Wickham (C), 8. Coby Green, 9. James Day, 10. Josh Bowen, 11. Tom Harvie (VC), 13. Sam Ashton, 14. Chaz Davies, 15. Matt Bird, 16. Brodee Foster, 21. Christian Starkie (GK), 23. Cambell Geddes, 24. Matt Willis, 25. Fraser Heigh, Emergency GK: Ed Arnold.
Hockey Club Melbourne team: 2. Peter Scott, 3. Jonathan Bretherton, 5. Doug Buckley, 6. Damon Steffens (C), 9. Ollie Will, 10. Brad Marais, 11. Cooper Burns, 13. Andrew Scanlon, 14. Rana Waheed, 15. Josh Simmonds, 17. Will Carruthers, 18. Johan Durst, 19. Jordan Rees, 22. Ben White, Emergency GK: George McGeoch

Women

The Perth Thundersticks Women’s team have continued their undefeated streak, overcoming a fast-starting Hockey Club Melbourne to win 6-2.

Despite a hot start by Lexie Pickering, Hockey Club Melbourne would be the first to score with Hannah Gravenall slotting in a goal and converting in the opening minute.

As the Thundersticks looked to respond, HC Melbourne mounted the pressure as the contest reached a stalemate.

Despite a few close shots towards goal, HC Melbourne remained in front 2-0 at quarter time.

The high-pressure contest continued into the second quarter, with Pickering notching another goal to her tally amid a frenetic scramble in front of goal.

The match would reach a stalemate once again, with both sides making impressive shots towards goal, only to be thwarted by their respective defenders.

At half time, the Thundersticks trailed 1-2.

Following the main break, the determined Thundersticks looked to stage a comeback for the second half.

After some initial back and forth, captain Penny Squibb scored a penalty corner goal to bring the scores level.

Just four minutes later, the Thundersticks would find themselves in front with Courtney Schonell putting herself in the right position to score a field goal and convert to take the lead 4-2 by three-quarter time.

The Thundersticks’ strong attack continued into the final quarter with Schonell adding another goal and conversion to her tally following a great set-up by Pickering and Liné Malan in the 46^th minute.

As HC Melbourne looked to respond, the Thundersticks defenders continued to shut down the home side’s efforts to maintain a four-goal advantage.

Despite HC Melbourne’s hard press, the Thundersticks maintained composure to keep up their undefeated streak, winning 6-2, with Schonell earning Liberty Player of the Match.

Schonell said while getting the win was great, the best part was seeing everyone on the team put in their contributions.

“We’re just being very clinical with our passes, which I think has been a big thing for us, and being able to finish is great,” she said.

“We’re just playing as a team, and I think that’s all we ask for from each other.

“I just go out there, enjoy myself, have a bit of fun and I was lucky enough to put four away, but I couldn’t have done it without the girls.”

Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 6 (Pickering 18’, Squibb 38’, Schonell 42’/42’/46’/46’)
Hockey Club Melbourne 2 (Gravenall 1’/1’)

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 3. Neasa Flynn, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Lexie Pickering, 7. Penny Squibb (C), 10. Jesse Reid, 12. Liné Malan (VC), 15. Bellé Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Kaitlin Nobbs, 19. Aleisha Power (GK), 20. Karri Somerville, 22. Jolie Sertorio, 24. Eva Drummond, 33. Candyce Peacock (VC), Emergency GK: Daisy Caink
Hockey Club Melbourne team: 1. Sophie Taylor, 2. Aisling Utri, 3. Kary Chau, 5. Krissy Bates, 6. Josie Lawton, 7. Ciara Utri, 8. Hannah Cotter, 10. Emily Hamilton-Smith, 12. Charlotte Stapenhorst, 14. Laura Barden, 15. Olivia Downes, 20. Zali Ward, 25. Hannah Gravenall (C), 27. Rachael Lynch (GK, C), 31. Evie Stansby, Emergency GK: Rene Hunter

The Perth Thundersticks is proudly supported by Sharp EIT Solutions, Bravo Apples, ERM High Voltage Asset Specialists, Polytan, Session Equity, and Project Innovations.

The Perth Thundersticks Women’s program is also proudly supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.