Tough Tassie challenge produces mixed results for Perth Thundersticks

The Perth Thundersticks women's team stepped up to the tough challenge set down by Tassie Tigers, while the men's team wasn't so lucky,

Women's

The Perth Thundersticks have survived a tough challenge set by the Tassie Tigers to start building an undefeated streak off the back of a bye, winning 4-1 away from home.

The Perth Thundersticks ventured to Tasmania for their first away match of the 2023 JDH Hockey One season, kicking off round three on Friday.

After plenty of back and forth in the early exchanges, Britney Desilva made an impact on her first outing for the Thundersticks for 2023 slotting in a field goal and a conversion during the sixth minute.

Dowd was impressive early, managing a penalty corner goal during the ninth minute to help the Thundersticks hold an early lead and putting up a strong defensive effort.

While the Tigers found a way to respond via Lucy Millington, the Thundersticks held strong to lead 3-1 at quarter time.

As Tassie looked to shave the margin, the contest reached a stalemate with neither side letting up.

Although the Tigers made some impressive leads towards goal, the Thundersticks ramped up the defensive pressure to maintain their two-goal lead at the main break.

There were a few nervous moments for the Thundersticks throughout the third term with green cards to Desilva and Neasa Flynn and mounting pressure from the Tigers.

However, the Thundersticks refused to concede further goals, including an impressive last-minute save before the final change.

While the Tigers continued to put up a valiant effort, a penalty corner goal via Liné Malan breathed new life into the Thundersticks, shutting the door on the Tigers to win 4-1.

Captain Rachel Frusher, who was named Player of the Match, said while the Thundersticks started and finished well, the squad would need to look at maintaining their efforts through the middle of the game.

“Our midfield needs to switch on a bit as well as our defence,” she said.

“I think we need to start building between each line and hopefully once we start building there we can connect more in the circle and get more corners and goals.”

The Thundersticks will return home to Perth Hockey Stadium to take on Hockey Club Melbourne during round four on Sunday 29 October.

Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 4 (Britney Desilva 6'/6', Georgina Dowd 9', Liné Malan 53')
Tassie Tigers 1 (Lucy Millington 11')

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, 14. Elizabeth Duguid (GK), 15. Bellé Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Renee Rockliff, 19. Georgina Dowd, 24. Britney Desilva.

Tassie Tigers team: 1. Sarah McCambridge (C), 3. Lucy Millington, 4. Maddison Brooks, 5. Taylor Brooks, 7. Jade Smith, 9. Emily Donovan, 12. Louise Maddock, 13. Phillida Bridley, 15. Lucy Cooper, 16. Maddison Clark, 17. Kathryn Lane, 20. Beth Dobbie, 21. Lauren Canning, 25. Evelyn Dalton (GK), 29. Belen D'Esposito.

Men's

Missed opportunities off penalty corners have left the Perth Thundersticks wondering what could have been, falling just short against the Tassie Tigers 1-2.

While the Thundersticks made a fast start via Tom Wickham, combined with plenty of defensive pressure from Jake Harvie and Brayden King, the home side capitalised off a controversial penalty stroke with Jeremy Hayward slotting one past Ben Rennie to take the lead.

Despite the Thundersticks’ best efforts to respond, the Tigers held on to lead 1-0 at quarter time.

As the Thundersticks looked to ramp up the defensive pressure during the second quarter, Hayward would extend the Tigers’ lead once again capitalising off another penalty stroke.

Just as it looked as though the Thundersticks would be held scoreless for another quarter, Wickham broke through off a penalty corner late to keep the margin at one goal at the main break.

Following the main break, the Thundersticks returned to the turf rejuvenated and looking to level the score.

Despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Tigers, including several penalty corners, the home side held strong via Max Larkin to hold the 2-1 lead at the final change.

The final term saw the Thundersticks attempt to capitalise off more penalty corners, racking up nine in a row from their first during the second quarter.

However, Max Larkin was like a brick wall, thwarting every attempt made by the Thundersticks, leaving the visitors frustrated.

Despite a valiant effort, the Thundersticks ultimately fell just short of making a comeback, going down by one goal.

The Thundersticks will look to make amends when they return home to take on Hockey Club Melbourne at Perth Hockey Stadium.


Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 1 (Tom Wickham 30')
Tassie Tigers 2 (Jeremy Hayward 12'/25')

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Matt Bird, 2. Will Battistessa, 3. Tim Geers, 4. Jake Harvie, 5. Tom Wickham, 11. Tom Harvie, 12. Alistair Murray, 13. Brayden King, 14. Matt Willis, 15. Liam Flynn, 16. Brodee Foster, 17. Aran Zalewski (C), 18. Ben Rennie (GK), 23. Cambell Geddes, 26. James Collins.

Tassie Tigers team: 3. Alexander Shaw, 4. Hayden Beltz (C), 6. Joshua Brooks, 7. Joshua Mardell, 8. Joseph Murphy, 9. Jeremy Edwards, 12. Samuel McCulloch, 14. Jack Welch, 19. Tim Deavin, 20. Ehren Hazell, 25. Max Larkin (GK), 27. Gobindraj Gill, 28. Lachlan Rogers, 30. Alistair White, 32. Jeremy Hayward.