Thrilling shootouts headline epic Hockey WA Grand Final Day

In an epic conclusion to the 2024 hockey season, Westside Wolves and UWA reached the top of the Stiles Electrical Premier League mountain, headlined by intense shootout contests.

An intense contest saw the Westside Wolves claim their first Stiles Electrical Premier League Women’s premiership since 2019, pipping UWA in shootouts and celebrating Chloe Pendlebury’s 250^th game in style.

It was a very even start to the Stiles Electrical Premier League Women’s Grand Final with both sides making the charge towards goal, though neither would be able to break through each other’s defence.

The tight contest continued into the second quarter, with both sides continuing a hard press.

Despite a few opportunities, the match remained in a 0-0 deadlock at half time.

As UWA continued their charge towards goal during the third quarter, Westside Wolves’ defence, led by keeper Evie Dalton, remained strong, preventing several scoring chances on the run.

It wasn’t until the 39^th minute that the deadlock would be broken with Elly Buckley opening the scoring off a penalty corner to get the Wolves in front.

However, UWA would make a swift response with Courtney Schonell slotting a tomahawk under pressure to bring the scores level.

Although UWA seemed to get one up in the dying moments of the quarter with what looked like a successful penalty corner, an infringement was sighted by the umpires resulting in no goal being awarded.

The tight contest continued into the fourth quarter with both sides mounting the pressure on one another.

With the match reaching a deadlock once again, the Grand Final was ultimately forced into extra time.

UWA almost scored the golden goal during the first five-minute period as Schonell went for a one-on-one shot, only for it to be thwarted by Dalton.

Neither side would let up during the second five-minute period, forcing the match into shootouts.

In an intense shootout where both teams matched each other shot for shot, an incredible save by Dalton off an attempt by Prada Herron helped the Wolves defeat UWA to claim the 2024 Stiles Electrical Premier League Women’s title.

Following an incredible performance on the turf, UWA’s Courtney Schonell was named the MVP of the match.

Westside Wolves’ Elly Buckley said it felt incredible to win the premiership with a team that features a mix of youth and experience.

“It’s great to see our youth coming through, they’re amazing players and we’re so excited for their future,” she said.

“It felt like we were defending the whole time.

“It was a great game by UWA, but I guess we parked the bus well and got away with the win.

“We were really confident in Evie, she’s an amazing goalkeeper and she saved us, and our five shooters were really good as well.”

UWA Hockey Club have celebrated their centenary year in style, edging out Melville in shootouts to claim their first Stiles Electrical Premier League Men’s title since 2017.

The Stiles Electrical Premier League Men’s Grand Final saw an even start between Melville and UWA, with both sides trying to make the early charge.

Just as it looked like Frank Main would open the scoring for UWA, the shot was ultimately overturned due to the trapper handling the ball.

Both sides continued to mount the pressure on one another, but the Staines twins would combine with 2024 Olympians’ Medallist Jake scoring a field goal during the 18^th minute to get Melville on the board.

As UWA looked to respond, Melville goalkeeper Hunter Banyard would step up to stifle UWA’s scoring opportunities.

However, UWA would find a way to bring the scores level thanks to a successful penalty corner shot by Cam Geddes.

Just as it looked like the scores would remain level, Jake Staines would break through once again to score his second goal and get Melville in front 2-1 by half time.

Following the main break, both sides continued a hard press in a bid to continue making opportunities to score.

Amid plenty of back and forth, the contest remained in a stalemate with Melville holding the upper hand at three-quarter time.

As the contest entered the fourth quarter, UWA looked to make a quick charge with an early penalty corner awarded, although the opportunity would ultimately go begging due to another ball handling infringement.

However, UWA would later recover to bring the scores level once again thanks to a penalty corner shot by Chris Ciriello.

As Melville looked to make a swift response, neither side would let up, leaving the scores tied at two goals apiece.

With neither side continuing to let up during the extra time, the contest was forced into shootouts, where UWA goalkeeper Christian Starkie put up a stellar defensive effort to help his team claim the premiership 2-2 (4-2 SO).

Following an outstanding performance, Melville’s Jake Staines was named the match’s MVP.

UWA’s Chris Bausor said it felt great to win the club’s first Premier Division 1 premiership since 2017.

“[Melville’s] been pretty electric over the past couple of years so I think this year is the closest we’ve got to them over the course of the year so it’s pretty sweet to get it done in the final,” he said.

“It’s a tight contest every time we’ve played them and it honestly could have gone either way.

“I felt like out of all the games this year, this has probably been our best and most dominant against them and I think we had the ascendancy the whole game.

“It is pretty impressive that we had appearances in three out of four senior grand final appearances today so to finish with a win is great for the club.”

In the Premier Division 2 Women’s Grand Final, Victoria Park overcame a strong start by YMCC to claim the premiership 4-2.

YMCC, who won the minor premiership without dropping a game, made a strong start during the first half with two goals via Player of the Year Bente Baekers.

However, the Panthers came roaring back with goals via Ruby Williams and Katy Clarke to take the lead during the second half and holding strong to win the flag.

The Premier Division 2 Men’s Grand Final was a thrilling affair, with WASPS winning the premiership in extra time to defeat UWA 3-2.

Both sides scored within minutes of each other during the opening quarter and engaged in a tug of war for the lead.

Just as it looked like WASPS would get up thanks to a 36^th minute goal via Liam Mudd, UWA eventually responded with a 58^th minute penalty corner via Sam Pike to level the score.

It was ultimately Player of the Year Shaun Shackley that would provide the golden goal for the WASPS, scoring a field goal to claim the premiership to much fanfare.

In the Premier Division 3 competitions, the Women’s Grand Final saw Fremantle Cockburn pip the WASPS in an exciting contest that went to shootouts.

After a very evenly matched contest, the Magpies overcame the WASPS to win 1-1 (4-3 SO).

The Men’s Grand Final saw Melville pull off back-to-back premierships, holding off a formidable Suburban Lions outfit 1-0.

Melville were first to score and held up a strong press to stifle the Lions’ opportunities.

In the Junior 9/10 Division, Reds held off a determined Victoria Park side to claim the Girls’ Premiership 3-0, while YMCC rose to the occasion in shootouts to pip UWA 3-3 (5-4 SO).

In the Junior 7/8 Division, UWA prevailed over Hale 3-2 in a tight contest, while YMCC defeated UWA 4-1.

FULL RESULTS

Stiles Electrical Premier League Women’s: Westside Wolves Hockey Club defeated UWA Hockey Club 1-1 (5-4 SO)

Stiles Electrical Premier League Men’s: UWA Hockey Club defeated Melville City Hockey Club 2-2 (4-2 SO)

Premier Division 2 Women’s: Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club defeated YMCC Hockey 4-2

Premier Division 2 Men’s: WASPS Hockey Club defeated UWA Hockey Club 3-2 AET

Premier Division 3 Women’s: Fremantle Cockburn Hockey Club defeated WASPS Hockey Club 1-1 (4-3 SO)

Premier Division 3 Men’s: Melville City Hockey Club defeated Suburban Lions Hockey Club 1-0

Junior 9/10 Division 1 Girls: Reds Hockey Club defeated Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club 3-0

Junior 9/10 Division 1 Boys: YMCC Hockey Club defeated UWA Hockey Club 3-3 (5-4 SO)

Junior 7/8 Division 1 Girls: UWA Hockey Club defeated Hale Hockey Club 3-2

Junior 7/8 Division 1 Boys: YMCC Hockey Club defeated UWA Hockey Club 4-1

The Hockey WA Grand Final Day was proudly presented by Brightside Live. The Stiles Electrical Premier League is proudly supported by Stiles Electrical Services and Joel Mitton.