Perth Thundersticks outscored by NSW Pride in tough contests

It was a tough day in the office for the Perth Thundersticks, suffering matching losses in front of a home crowd.

Men's

The Perth Thundersticks now face a nervous wait to see if they still have a chance of securing a finals berth after falling short against a dominant NSW Pride outfit by two goals.

The Thundersticks continued their quest to scrape through to the JDH Hockey One Finals, facing their toughest challenge yet against NSW Pride in their final home match on Sunday 12 November.

In an intense start that resembled more of a territory battle, the Thundersticks were firing out the gate looking to score early.

Despite a few close shots, the Pride’s defence were there to stifle the scoring opportunities to keep the scores at 0-0 at quarter time.

Although NSW Pride managed to get some looks in during the second period, solid defence by Ben Rennie, Aran Zalewski and James Day saw the contest remain in a deadlock, with both sides yet to score at the main break.

Just as it seemed as though the stalemate would continue on in the third quarter, Flynn Ogilvie broke through for the NSW Pride to score the first field goal of the day, quickly followed by a successful conversion to put the reigning champs in front.

As the Thundersticks looked to respond, the home side amped up the defensive pressure but found themselves falling victim to lightning quick tackles by the visitors.

A late penalty corner goal via Blake Govers ensured a solid 3-0 lead for the Pride at three-quarter time.

The Pride continued their dominant approach into the final quarter while the Thundersticks continued finding a way to will themselves back into the match.

Despite a few attempts to get a look in, the Thundersticks found themselves under serious pressure.

Although Tom Wickham kept the Thundersticks from being held scoreless with a field goal during the 57th minute, it was not enough to break the Pride’s undefeated streak, falling short 3-1.

Following the match, Brodee Foster said the squad knew the match was going to be a tough one but felt the side put up a solid performance.

“I think one of the main takeaways is that we are good enough to take it to one of the best teams in the comp,” he said.

“We had our fair share of chances once again but we were a little bit unfortunate to not be able to close.”

The Perth Thundersticks will now sweat their chances of securing a finals berth when they travel to Queensland to take on the Brisbane Blaze to close out their regular season.


Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 1 (Tom Wickham 57')
NSW Pride 3 (Flynn Ogilvie 35'/35', Blake Govers 44')

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Matt Bird, 4. Jake Harvie, 5. Tom Wickham, 6. Bryn De Bes, 9. James Day, 11. Tom Harvie, 13. Brayden King, 14. Matt Willis, 15. Liam Flynn, 16. Brodee Foster, 17. Aran Zalewski (C), 18. Ben Rennie (GK), 20. Frank Main, 25. Trent Mitton, 26. James Collins.

NSW Pride team: 1. Lachlan Sharp, 2. Tom Craig, 5. Ash Thomas (GK), 7. Daine Richards, 8. Nathaniel Stewart, 9. Nathan Czinner, 13. Blake Govers, 14. Dylan Martin, 19. Jack Hayes (C), 20. Ky Willott, 22. Flynn Ogilvie, 28. Sam Gray, 29. Tim Brand, 32. Callum Mackay, 34. Thomas Miotto.

Women's

The Perth Thundersticks’ dream run to the JDH Hockey One Finals has hit a speed bump as a determined NSW Pride outfit outscored them 3-1 to break their undefeated streak.

The Thundersticks looked to keep their undefeated streak going ahead of the JDH Hockey One finals, going head to head with NSW Pride in their final home match of the 2023 season on Sunday 12 November.

It took just 21 seconds for the NSW Pride to put the home side on the backfoot, with Mariah Williams scoring the first field goal of the match to gain an early lead.

Goalkeeper Elizabeth Duguid prevented the conversion to keep the Thundersticks within reach as they looked to respond.

In the midst of a tight and dynamic contest, the Thundersticks found themselves at the mercy of a determined NSW Pride outfit.

A late penalty corner goal via Maddison Smith extended the Pride’s lead out to two goals by quarter time, leaving the Thundersticks yet to score.

The Thundersticks continued looking to find ways to score during the second term but found themselves struggling to get the ball forward.

Despite not being able to get a look in, the Thundersticks amped up the defensive pressure as the contest reached a stalemate, with the Pride maintaining their 2-0 lead at half time.

As the Thundersticks looked to salvage their efforts and keep their undefeated streak alive, Liné Malan broke through to score the home side’s first field goal.

The celebrations were short-lived as the NSW Pride responded with a field goal of their own via Alice Arnott, although Duguid was able to stop the subsequent conversion.

The contest hit a deadlock once again as both sides looked determined to take the win, but NSW held on to lead 3-1 at the final change.

While the Thundersticks fought hard throughout the final term and tried to find ways to score, the visiting side proved too strong, holding on to win 3-1 and break the Thundersticks’ undefeated streak.

Following the match, Jesse Reid said the contest was incredibly tough after being let down by the Pride’s strong start but was proud that the Thundersticks fought to the end.

“The first 10 seconds of the game is pretty important and we were thrown pretty early,” she said.

“We need to be tougher and stick to our game to move the ball better and be stronger.

“Every game is important and we have to play every one like it’s your last so we really want to keep building our campaign.”

The Thundersticks will look to bounce back ahead of the finals series when they travel to Queensland to take on the Brisbane Blaze on Sunday 19 November.


Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 1 (Liné Malan 32')
NSW Pride 3 (Mariah Williams 1', Maddison Smith 12', Alice Arnott 33')

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 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, 20. Karri Somerville.

NSW Pride team: 1. Alice Arnott, 3. Jocelyn Bartram (GK), 7. Laura Reid, 8. Greta Hayes, 11. Estelle Hughes, 14. Makayla Jones, 15. Hannah Kable, 16. Alana Kavanagh, 20. Kaitlin Nobbs, 24. Maddison Smith, 26. Grace Stewart, 27. Kendelle Tait, 30. Mariah Williams (C), 31. Abby Wilson, 32. Grace Young.