Sweet 15s putting on a show

The 2021 Under-15 Australian Hockey Championships is nearing a thrilling conclusion, with some of WA’s best emerging stars showing off their skills on the big stage.

The stage is set for Under-15s sides to make a big impact in the National Championship finals, following successul campaigns in their respective divisions.

The girls’ WA Gold side commenced the tournament well, with an exciting 7-0 win over ACT, with two goals each from Mischa Rodier and Sienna Robinson, and singles from Eliza Swain, Ellie Samsa and Seraphina Andrew.

Both of the boys’ and girls’ Black teams started the first day of the tournament with two matches each, the men’s side going down 8-0 to Queensland Maroon, and 4-1 to New South Wales State, with a goal to captain Toby Blee.

The girls’ Black team began with a 3-2 loss to Victoria, goals being scored through Lottie Keogh and Ella Frost, but came back to win their afternoon match 1-0 against New South Wales Blues, thanks to a goal from Isabelle Hampson.

Saturday saw a 2-1 win to open the campaign for the Gold boys' team, Charlie McCarthy and Zed Kearnen finding the back of the net against New South Wales Blues.

A 3-1 win and goals from Seraphina Andrew, Eliza Swain and Siena Tonkin against Northern Territory further helped the Gold girls' side to success.

Queensland Gold fought hard until half-time to keep the WA Gold girls scoreless in their later match, however Ellie Samsa nailed the deciding goal three minutes into the second half leading her WA team to a 1-0 victory.

A closely-fought match resulting in a 3-2 loss between the Black boys side and Tasmania allowed for Toby Blee and Dean Raath to add their names to the goalscorer tally.

Seven goals were conceded to result in a 7-0 loss for the Black girls against the Queensland Maroon side.

Sunday brought edge-of-your-seat excitement, with the boys; Gold side recording a 2-2 draw with Victoria, Rhys Havercroft and Bailey Dixon finding the backboard for WA.

The girls’ Gold side tied 3-3 with New South Wales, their goals were scored by Georgia Hiskins, Seraphina Andrew and Mischa Rodier.

The girls’ Black side got a 2-0 dub over Tasmania, Ella Frost scoring in the first minute, and Darcie Farrow scoring in a penalty corner after the final siren.

The boys’ Black were unfortunate to narrowly miss the win, losing 2-1 to ACT, Finn Bell scoring for WA.

While the Black boys’ and girls’ teams had a rest day on Monday, the Gold men had goals through Callum Inglis and Charlie McCarthy, coming out 2-0 on top of state neighbours SA.

While Monday was a rest day for the Gold girls, they came back hard on Tuesday to emerge victorious in a 4-2 win, goalscorers Jessica McDonald, Ellie Samsa, Megan Mccaffrey and Eliza Swain.

The Gold boys had a tough battle against Queensland Gold, drawing 3-3 and scores through Zed Kearnan, Patrick Eastwood and Charlie McCarthy, securing them a finals spot.

The Black boys’ side went down 3-1 to Victoria Development, Bede Wetherell being the lone goal scorer, and the Black girls’ team lost their match 1-0 to South Australia.

Later in the afternoon was the same opposition for the Black boys’ team, but a completely different result, with a 5-2 win, and 2 goals each scored by both Regan Harrison and Tom Chalmers, followed by a single score from Finn Bell.

UPCOMING MATCHES:

BOYS:

GOLD – April 14: Semi Final v New South Wales State

BLACK – April 14: v South Australia

GIRLS :

GOLD – Finals will be decided for the Gold girls on Wednesday morning.

BLACK – Matches will be decided for the Black girls on Wednesday morning.

Follow the Under-15s National Championships here.

Follow the Under-18s National Championships here.