Strong contests lead Classic teams towards finals

The Ric Charlesworth Classic is heading towards the pointy end of the tournament, with round two now in the books after a pair of tightly contested matches starts to shape the finals race.

The women’s Highlanders faced the Breakers, with the Breakers looking to claim top spot on the standings and give the star-studded Outbacks a challenge heading in to the penultimate round of the tournament.

Star Highlander Savannah Fitzpatrick put the 2020 runners-up ahead early in the eight minute off of a clean penalty corner to put the Breakers on the back foot.

The Breakers had multiple opportunities to respond, but star Highlanders keeper Lizzie Duguid denied their chances at equalising.

The Breakers finally broke the deadlock in the third quarter, through a fantastic goal by Harriet Collins, with both sides ramping up the intensity going into the fourth.

Lizzie Duguid made her claims for player of the match, proving to be a rock in the Highlanders defence, with the Breakers continuously pressing, but unable to get the ball into the back of the net.
Two fantastic saves by Duguid proved her to be the hero in the dying minutes, resulting in a draw between the two sides, with the Breakers narrowly claiming top spot over the Outbacks.

In the men’s, the Highlanders looked to continue their red-hot form after a 5-0 win over the Breakers in their first game, but they were up against the 2020 runners-up in the Outbacks, who look to be a strong contender in this year’s tournament.

The OUtbacks opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute of the match through a fantastic shot by Miyu Tanimitsu, who also played a part in their second goal with a fantastic pass to Brodie Sarre to put the side up two-to-nil early in the second quarter.

The Highlanders fought back through a goal from James Day off of a penalty corner, but a few moments later, 2020 Hockey WA men’s Premier League top scorer Liam Flynn claimed an easy goal off of an error from the Highlanders defence.

Highlanders’ James Day led from the front for the Highlanders, claiming another goal in the last to put his side two-to-three and within a chance of claiming points.

The Outbacks broke the hearts of the Highlanders faithful, with a goal from ex-Kookaburra Tim Deavin sinking the side and leading the Outbacks towards a potential run at gold in the finals.

Final Scores

Women’s Highlanders 1 draw Breakers 1

Goals

Breakers – Harriet Collins (41’)

Savannah Fitzpatrick (8’)

Men’s Outbacks 5 def. Highlanders 2

Goals

Outbacks – Miyu Tanimitsu (15’), Brodie Sarre (22’), Liam Flynn (40’), Tim Deavin (58’), Matthew Lewis (59’)

Highlanders – James Day (37’) (52’)