H1 MATCH REPORT: Perth Thundersticks vs NSW Pride

The Perth Thundersticks have continued to strengthen their case for the Liberty Hockey One finals with the Men’s team defeating NSW Pride to stay in the top four and the Women’s team extending their undefeated run after a tough contest.

Men

An outstanding defensive effort has helped the Perth Thundersticks Men’s team strengthen their case for finals, defeating a frustrated NSW Pride outfit 3-1.

It was an even start with both sides making a charge towards goal and trying to create opportunities early on.

However, the contest was soon locked in a stalemate with neither side letting up the pressure.

Despite finding themselves under siege amid several penalty corner shots awarded to NSW, Rennie absorbed the pressure

However, a late shot by Chaz Davies was off to the wayside, keeping the scores level at 0-0 at quarter time.

The second quarter saw a hot start from the Pride but Rennie and the Thundersticks defenders have continued to absorb the pressure to keep themselves in the match.

It wasn’t until after the cluster of penalty corner shots from the Pride that the Thundersticks would find a way to break through with Will Battistessa slotting in a field goal and successfully converting in his first match for the 2024 season.

Just minutes later, Day would join the party scoring off a penalty corner to extend the Thundersticks’ lead even further.

As the Pride looked to respond, the Thundersticks continued mounting the pressure, holding strong to lead 3-0 at half time.

Following the half time break, the Pride were throwing everything at the Thundersticks as they looked to stage a comeback.

Despite the Pride getting aggressive in their approach amid frustrations, the Thundersticks remained composed to maintain their three-goal advantage.

The contest reached a stalemate once again during the final quarter with both sides mounting the pressure on one another.

The Pride played the numbers game by pulling goalkeeper Ash Thomas off.

Although Ky Willott scored a field goal to bring the Pride back, Rennie continued to act as a roadblock, preventing the subsequent conversion.

The Thundersticks ultimately held strong to earn a third outright win in a row to strengthen their case to punch a ticket to Tasmania, winning 3-1.

Ben Rennie’s outstanding efforts in goals earned him the Liberty Player of the Match.

Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 3 (Battistessa 22’/22’, Day 24’)
NSW Pride 1 (Willott 58’)

Perth Thundersticks team: 2. Will Battistessa, 3. Brayden King, 4. Jake Harvie (C), 5. Tom Wickham (C), 8. Coby Green, 9. James Day, 11. Tom Harvie, 13. Sam Ashton, 14. Chaz Davies, 15. Matt Bird, 16. Brodee Foster, 18. Ben Rennie (GK), 22. Max Freedman, 24. Matt Willis, 26. James Collins, Emergency GK: Ryan O’Schadleus.
NSW Pride team: 5. Ash Thomas (GK), 7. Daine Richards, 8. Nathanael Stewart (C), 9. Nathan Czinner, 11. Dylan Downey, 12. Jared Findley, 14. Dylan Martin, 15. Miles Davis, 17. Ryan Woolnough, 18. Toby Mallon, 21. Luke Noblett, 28. Ky Willott, 32. Callum Mackay, 34. Thomas Miotto, 36. Michael Taylor, Emergency GK: Nathan Ackroyd.

Women

The Perth Thundersticks Women’s team are still undefeated after holding off a determined NSW Pride outfit 3-1.

An even start saw both sides mounting the pressure on one another in what resembled a tug of war for possession.

However, a strong team effort saw the Thundersticks go from end to end with Lexie Pickering pulling off a classy finish and successfully converting to gain the 2-0 lead by quarter time.

The Pride looked to respond early in the second quarter making interceptions and mounting the pressure on the Thundersticks.

The mounting defensive pressure seemed to overwhelm the Thundersticks as they struggled to enter the circle.

However, the Thundersticks defence made a hard press on the Pride, stifling their scoring opportunities.

With the contest in a stalemate, the Thundersticks held on to maintain their two-goal advantage by half time.

The high-pressure contest continued into the third quarter as the Pride continued looking to get a goal on the board.

In a mad scramble, Emma Scriven got the Pride on the board with a field goal, but Elizabeth Duguid’s experience kept the Thundersticks in front, preventing the conversion.

Despite the Pride continuing to throw everything at them, the Thundersticks remained calm and went into the final change leading by a goal.

The Thundersticks made a hot start in the final quarter, quickly driving the ball towards goal.

Amid plenty of pressure from the Pride, skipper Penny Squibb was awarded a penalty stroke which she successfully scored to extend the Thundersticks’ lead.

As the contest reached a stalemate once again, the Pride brought off goalkeeper Zoe Newman in a bid to boost the numbers for a comeback effort.

However, the Thundersticks held strong to win 3-1 and remain undefeated.

Duguid’s fantastic performance in goals saw her named the Liberty Player of the Match.

Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 3 (Pickering 10’/10’, Squibb 48’)
NSW Pride 1 (Scriven 33’)

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), 14. Elizabeth Duguid (GK), 15. Bellé Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 21. Saysha Pillay, 22. Jolie Sertorio, 24. Eva Drummond, 28. Georgia Wilson, 33. Candyce Peacock (VC), Emergency GK: Grace Jeffery.
NSW Pride team: 4. Kendelle Tait, 6. Ella Carr, 7. Grace Stewart, 8. Makayla Jones, 10. Hannah French, 11. Emma Scriven, 14. Emmalee Croker, 16. Alana Kavanagh, 18. Lucinda Preeo, 20. Maddi Smith, 22. Zoe Newman (GK), 23. Abby Wilson, 24. Mariah Williams (C), 32. Grace Young, Emergency GK: Grace Jeffery.

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.