MAFFRA was unable to recover from conceding two early goals, with Swan Reach earning the right to meet Sale in the East Gippsland women’s hockey grand final on Saturday.
In an exciting preliminary final last Saturday at Maffra, Swan Reach seemed to be in control early after scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes via Sarah Whitechurch and Jude Lunny.
Maffra gradually began to get back into the play and scored through Adelle O’Doherty midway through the half.
However, Swan Reach took back control on the half time bell with a successful penalty corner conversion by Beck Corben. In the second half, Maffra continued to attack, and after having a goal disallowed, earned a penalty stroke which was converted by Kate Ingram.
Despite Maffra continually attacking, Swan Reach held out to gain an opportunity to defend its premiership.
IN the open competition, Swan Reach’s horror final series continued.
After being defeated for the first time in the semi-finals, Swan Reach lost to Orbost 2-1.
Swan Reach took the lead through a Simon Murrell goal. The game continued from end-to-end, with Orbost finally equalising late in the late through Brendan Coulton.
Orbost continued to attack and was soon rewarded with a goal by Craig Martin.
After desperately holding out the Swan Reach team in the final five minutes, Orbost was able to celebrate making the grand final, where it will meet Nagle.
THE day began with Maffra’s under 13 team defeating local rival Sale 4-1 to book a spot in the grand final against Nagle.
In their previous encounter, Sale took the honours, however, Maffra showed it was fully-prepared from the beginning and immediately had the opposition defence under pressure.
By half-time Maffra had scored two goals through Angus Neaves and Ben Harms. Early in the second half, Maffra had consolidated its lead with goals from Tristan Neaves and Tim Valette.
Ben Burrows scored a consolation goal for Sale.
IN the under 15s, Nagle defeated Bairnsdale 6-1 and will meet Maffra in the grand final.
Nathan Browning scored a hat-trick for Nagle, Zach Coulton scored two goals and Max Bowden one.
Timothy Comer scored Bairnsdale’s goal.
SALE lost a tight under 18 preliminary final to Bairnsdale 1-0.
Bairnsdale took the lead early in the first half with a goal from Else Bramwell.
Sale fought hard to try to equalise with no luck.
Bairnsdale will play Nagle in the grand final.
THE East Gippsland Hockey Association grand finals will be played on Saturday at Lions Park, McLachlan St, Sale.
