Sides stake claims for title glory in first day of Classic action

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The 2022 Ric Charlesworth Classic, Hockey WA's flagship pre-season tournament, has kicked off in scintillating fashion at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University, with goals plentiful across four high-energy contests.

The tournament acts as a selection tool into the 2022 Perth Thundersticks squads, with players, young and old, giving their all to stake their claim as stars in WA hockey.

Star Perth Thundersticks Player and Breakers' representative, Renee Rockliff, says the competition provides much-needed high-level hockey experience to players heading into the main season.

"The competition is a fantastic opportunity for us to get our touch back after a big break in the off-season," Rockliff said.

"There's a great mix of youth and experience across all sides in the competition, so the matches are of a really high energy and it certainly pushes us players to give our all.

"It's also great as a platform for these younger players to shine and show what they're made of."

The 2021 Gold Medal Match winners in the women's competition, the Breakers, opened their campaign with a 6-2 win defeating the Outbacks in a dominant attacking performance.

The women's Highlanders kicked-off their 2022 campaign with a strong performance, defeating the Suns 3-1 with former Hockeyroo Edwina Bone starring with two penalty corner goals.

The 2021 Gold Medal rematch between the Suns and Outbacks produced match of the day, with the match decided in the final minute of play.

With both sides responding to their opponents goals, a penalty corner in the final minute of the match was scored by Outbacks' Tom Harvie to break the deadlock and lead his side to a 3-2 victory.

The final match of the day between the men's Breakers and Highlanders finished in a 2-2 draw, with the young Breakers side taking the 2-1 lead late in the third quarter, only for Highlanders' Brodee Foster to eventually find the goal in the 51st minute to bring the sides to a draw.

SCORES

Women's Breakers 6 defeat Outbacks 2

Goals:

Breakers - Sarah Byrnes (5') (50'), Shanae Wardrope (6'), Savannah Fitzpatrick (6') (27'), Angela Chilwell (11')

Outbacks - Harriet Collins (19'), Matilda Banfield (33')
 

Women's Highlanders 3 defeat Suns 1

Goals:

Suns - Georgina Dowd (53')

Highlanders - Edwina Bone (18') (40'), Sophie Fidoe (42')
 

Men's Outbacks 3 defeat Suns 2

Goals:

Suns - Hayden Beltz (21'), Cam Geddes (25')

Outbacks - Tom Harvie (22') (59'), Adrian Baster (36')

Men's Highlanders 2 draw Breakers 2

Goals:

Highlanders - Matthew Lewis (34'), Brodee Foster (51')

Breakers - Harry Golding (39'), Hamish Adamson (44')