Thundersticks Women's undefeated, Men's finals chances in jeopardy

The Perth Thundersticks are now the sole undefeated team in the Hockey One women's competition, but a shock upset loss has put the men's team's finals chances in jeopardy.

Women's

The Perth Thundersticks have shot to the top of the ladder as the sole team to remain undefeated after holding off a determined Hockey Club Melbourne 1-0 in a tight contest.

It was all eyes on Perth Hockey Stadium on Sunday 29 October as the Thundersticks and HC Melbourne engaged in a top of the table clash, putting their undefeated streaks on the line.

It was a very even start between the two undefeated teams, with neither side letting up on the defensive front.

While the likes of Shanea Tonkin, Sarah Byrnes and Georgina Dowd had some close attempts, each shot was swatted away by HC Melbourne goalkeeper Rachel Lynch.

Attempted shots on goal by the visiting side also went begging amid interceptions and strong defensive pressure with neither side scoring during the opening period.

The tight contest continued into the second period as both sides went back and forth with goal attempts.

It wasn’t until the last minute before the main break where Penny Squibb broke the deadlock with a penalty corner goal to put the Thundersticks in front 1-0.

As HC Melbourne strived to respond, the Thundersticks continued employing a tough defensive approach to hold their one-goal advantage at the final change.

While HC Melbourne continued to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Thundersticks, the home side held strong and stifled their scoring opportunities to win 1-0 and remain undefeated.

Georgia Wilson, who was named the JDH Player of the Match for her outstanding midfield performance, said while the conditions were warmer than expected, it was a testament to the fitness of the team.

“We’ve got a really fit and fast team and I think that may have helped us benefit today,” she said.

“Before the game we spoke about having a real intensity and effort from our front group and dictating the press.

“They really set the intensity so it’s important it translates into the back-half and midfield.”

The Thundersticks will look to keep their undefeated streak rolling when they travel to MATE Stadium to take on Adelaide Fire on Sunday 5 November.

Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 1 (Penny Squibb 30')
Hockey Club Melbourne 0

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 3. Neasa Flynn, 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.

Hockey Club Melbourne team: 2. Ash Utri, 3. Nicola Hammond, 4. Amy Lawton, 5. Krissy Bates, 6. Josie Lawton, 7. Ciara Utri, 8. Jessie Dean, 9. Carly James, 10. Rosario Villagra, 11. Jo Peeters, 12. Emily Hamilton-Smith, 14. Laura Barden, 15. Olivia Downes, 25. Hannah Gravenall, 27. Rach Lynch.

Men's

A second-half fade-out has put the Perth Thundersticks’ chances of going one better than last year’s silver medal in jeopardy, suffering an upset 6-2 loss to Hockey Club Melbourne.

The Thundersticks hosted HC Melbourne at Perth Hockey Stadium, entering the match raring to bounce back from their disappointing 1-2 loss to Tassie Tigers last weekend.

It was a hot start to the contest as both sides were quick to put the pressure on one another in the early stages.

While the combination of Tom Wickham and Aran Zalewski tried to muster up scoring opportunities for the Thundersticks, shots were blocked by HC Melbourne goalkeeper Johan Durst.

As the contest seemed to reach a stalemate, Nathan Ephraums broke through to score the first field goal for the visiting side during the 14th minute.

However, Thundersticks goalkeeper Ben Rennie put his body on the line to prevent a conversion, leaving the home side at a one-goal deficit at quarter time.

As HC Melbourne began to extend their lead with a field goal and conversion via Connar Otterbach, Thundersticks skipper Aran Zalewski broke the home side’s drought with a penalty corner goal during the 25th minute.

Although the returning James Day was back doing what he does best with a penalty corner goal of his own in the 29th minute, HC Melbourne held the advantage with a late goal via Jordan Rees kept the visitors in front 4-2 at half time.

The contest reached another stalemate during the third period as both sides mounted the pressure on one another.

Although the Thundersticks suffered an early blow with a yellow card issued to Jake Harvie, the squad strived to find a way back into the contest.

While Ephraums managed his second field goal of the day to keep HC Melbourne in front, Rennie seemed to have Ephraums’ number in the one-on-one contest, preventing another conversion to leave the score at 5-2 at the final change.

In an attempt to salvage their efforts, the Thundersticks were firing early in the final term.

However, despite plenty of exciting performances across the field, including fantastic saves by Rennie, the Thundersticks found themselves dismantled by HC Melbourne.

A penalty corner goal by HC Melbourne’s Damon Steffens sealed the deal for the visitors, pulling off an upset 6-2 win over the Thundersticks.

The Thundersticks will look to bounce back when they go up against the Adelaide Fire on Sunday 5 November.

Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 2 (Aran Zalewski 25', James Day 29')
Hockey Club Melbourne 6 (Nathan Ephraums 14'/44', Connar Otterbach 18'/18', Jordan Rees 30', Damon Steffens 53')

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Matt Bird, 2. Will Battistessa, 3. Tim Geers, 4. Jake Harvie, 5. Tom Wickham, 9. James Day, 11. Tom Harvie, 12. Alistair Murray, 13. Brayden King, 14. Matt Willis, 15. Liam Flynn, 17. Aran Zalewski (C), 18. Ben Rennie (GK), 25. Trent Mitton, 26. James Collins.

Hockey Club Melbourne team: 5. Doug Buckley, 6. Damon Steffens, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 8. Lachlan Steinfort, 9. Nathan Copey, 10. Brad Marais, 12. Connar Otterbach, 13. Jayshaan Randhawa, 14. James Knee, 15. Josh Simmonds, 18. Johan Durst, 19. Jordan Rees, 22. Ben White, 26. Eden Davis, 29. Nicholas Fitzgerald.