MAFFRA has advanced to the East Gippsland women’s hockey grand final after a 3-2 win in the major semi-final at Bairnsdale on Saturday.
Two weeks earlier, Sale Cygnets defeated Maffra, the first time the Maffra women had been defeated by a Sale side since re-entering the competition five years ago. Although Maffra won this year’s minor premiership, a couple of losses this season proved it was not invincible.
On this occasion, a full strength Maffra tipped out a determined Cygnets side in a top quality match.
Goal scorers for Maffra were Caitlyn Frisina, Emily Mogridge and Kate Steinman, while Sarah Boag and Tahlia Colley scored for the Cygnets.
The Cygnets will play Swan Reach in the preliminary final this Saturday at Orbost.
Swan Reach defeated Nagles in the minor semi-final 7-3. Shana Snell (four), Beck Corben (two) and Danae Murrell scored for Swan Reach with Nagle’s goals from Mikayla Blackshaw (two) and Jordan Bartlett.
SALE remains in the men’s finals after a 2-1 win over Swan Reach in the minor semi-final.
Sale has been gradually playing itself into form over the past couple of weeks, highlighted by its 2-2 draw with minor premier Nagle in the final round.
Both back lines are strong and played well with the forwards finding it hard to score.
On this occasion, Sale was too strong with Mark Kolcze and Tye McMahon scoring, while Simon Murrell scored for Swan Reach.
Sale will play in the preliminary final against Orbost, who lost the major semi-final against Nagle on penalty strokes.
Scores were level 1-1 at full-time after goals from Nicholas Baglioni (Nagle) and Brendan Coulton (Orbost). The game went to penalty strokes, which Nagle won 4-2 to advance to the grand final.
IN the under 18s, Nagle booked a grand final berth with a 4-1 win over Bairnsdale in the major semi-final. Nagle’s goals were scored by Connor MacLean (three) and Jack Parwata, while Charlie Martin scored for Bairnsdale.
In the preliminary final, Bairnsdale will meet Swan Reach, who defeated Orbost 1-0 in the minor semi with a goal from Jack Bowden.
MAFFRA’S season is over in the under 15s after losing to Bairnsdale 6-2. This was Maffra’s first finals appearance in this age group since re-entering the competition five years ago.
Riley Simpson (three), Kai Mckeon, Scott Smith and Tom Supplitt scored for Bairnsdale, while Matthew Gover and Ben Mogridge scored for Maffra.
Nagle defeated Swan Reach 5-0 to advance to the grand final with goals from Sam Parwata (two), Nadine Philip (two) and Oscar Crunden-Smith. Swan Reach will play Bairnsdale in the preliminary final.
NAGLE will also play in the under 13 grand final after defeating Swan Reach 3-0 in the major semi-final. Goals were scored by Patrick Alexander, Ethan Duffy and Kacey Rykers.
In the preliminary final, Swan Reach will play Bairnsdale, who won the minor semi against Orbost 6-3. Bairnsdale’s goals were scored by Rohan Giblett (five) and Reuben O’Brien, while Zach Coulton scored all Orbost’s goals.
For details of the EGHA best-and-fairest award winners, read Friday’s Gippsland Times.
