Perth Thundersticks to go for second consecutive bronze medal

A blockbuster semi-final saw the Perth Thundersticks fall agonisingly short of booking in a spot in the Grand Final, going down to Brisbane Blaze 2(2) to 2(4) in an exciting shoot-out contest.

The Perth Thundersticks kicked off their JDH Hockey One Finals campaign looking to redeem their round seven efforts against the Brisbane Blaze at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra on Saturday 25 November.

Both the Thundersticks and the Blaze were firing out the gate, putting up a strong press during the early exchanges.

As the Thundersticks looked to create early opportunities, they struggled to penetrate the attacking circle as the Blaze intercepted shot after shot.

It took four minutes for the deadlock to be broken with a field goal by Dayle Dolkens putting the Blaze in front.

However, Thundersticks goalkeeper Elizabeth Duguid looked to put on a repeat performance and prevent the subsequent conversion.

As the Thundersticks looked to respond, the Blaze were relentless in their defensive press, keeping the Thundersticks scoreless at quarter time.

Early turnovers cost the Thundersticks crucial possession time during the opening minutes of the second quarter as they continued their quest to start racking up goals.

Amid strong defence by the Blaze, the Thundersticks continued struggling to find open space in their attacking circle.

However, on the other side of the field, the Thundersticks put the pressure on with strong saves by Duguid and great vision by Penny Squibb to keep the Blaze from scoring.

Despite an ugly end to the half with a rogue ball hitting Blaze’s Rosie Malone square in the nose, the Thundersticks maintained the 1-0 scoreline at half time.

The Thundersticks returned to the field more determined than ever to stay in the contest, quickly driving the ball forward but found themselves swarmed by Blaze defenders.

However, the Thundersticks did not give up, desperately shooting towards goal in a penalty corner, with Liné Malan slotting through to level the score.

As the Blaze looked to respond, the Thundersticks held strong to keep the score at 1-1 at the final change.

The high-energy contest continued into the final term with both sides ramping up the pressure and fighting for territory.

In a tug of war during the early stages of the quarter, Blaze’s Rebecca Greiner broke through to score a field goal, but Duguid prevented yet another conversion to keep the Thundersticks in the contest.

The Thundersticks soon responded with a penalty corner goal of their own via Penny Squibb to bring the scores level at 2-2, forcing the match into penalty shootouts.

The nerves seemed to get to the Thundersticks after their first two attempts resulted in saves by Emily Kingston, while the Blaze remained composed and slotted in three goals.

Just as it looked like the Thundersticks would come back with goals via Sarah Byrnes and Shanea Tonkin, the Blaze sealed the deal in their fourth penalty to lock in a spot in the grand final, defeating the Thundersticks 2(4) to 2(2).

Duguid was named the JDH Player of the Match for her outstanding defensive performance.

The Thundersticks will instead look to secure their second bronze medal in a row in the 3^rd vs 4^th Playoff on Sunday 26 November.


Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 2(2) (Liné Malan 36', Penny Squibb 55', Shootout goals - Sarah Byrnes, Shanea Tonkin)
Brisbane Blaze 2(4) (Dayle Dolkens 4', Rebecca Greiner 53', Shootout goals - Stephanie Kershaw, Savannah Fitzpatrick, Rosie Malone, Rebecca Greiner)

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 3. Neasa Flynn, 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, 19. Georgina Dowd, 20. Karri Somerville, 23. Lou-Ellen Edwards (GK).

Brisbane Blaze team: 1. Savannah Fitzpatrick, 2. Ambrosia Malone, 3. Kendra Fitzpatrick, 5. Morgan Gallagher (C), 8. Dayle Dolkens, 9. Casey Dolkens, 10. Madison Fitzpatrick, 11. Morgan Mathison, 13. Rebecca Greiner, 14. Stephanie Kershaw, 17. Camryn Mathison, 21. Emily Kingston (GK), 22. Britt Wilkinson, 23. Ruby Harris, 24. Ivy Matthews (GK), 25. Kyra Livermore, 30. Georgina West.

JDH HOCKEY ONE FINALS FIXTURES
Women's 3rd vs 4th Playoff
Sunday 26 November 8.30am AWST (11.30am AEDT)
National Hockey Centre, Canberra

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