Hockey
8 May, 2024
Season defining matches highlight round three
Just two rounds into the Wimmera hockey season, several teams already face pivotal match-ups that could define their season when round three is played at Dimboola this weekend.
The three games in the Women’s competition will all play a big part in setting the pecking
order that may not change as the season progresses.
Dimboola has impressed upon their return to the competition this season, registering one win and a draw in the first two rounds, but now face the challenge of taking on last season’s runners-up under the lights on Friday evening.
There was no shame in Kaniva’s loss to Yanac in the opening round, and they fought out a tight draw with the Horsham Jets last Saturday, but they will need a victory soon if they are to claim a spot towards the top of the ladder, and this is also an ideal opportunity for Dimboola to do the same.
Whatever this game goes, it will be an entertaining start to the weekend.
The two Women’s teams currently outside the top four face each other in another significant match for their respective outlooks. When Warrack and the Nhill Thunderbirds last met in the semi-finals last year, Warrack was victorious, but recent form suggests that Nhill will start as favourites.
The winner will end the round back amongst the leaders, while the defeated team will begin to lose touch.
Yanac Women should continue their dominance when they take on the third-placed Horsham Jets, although an unexpected result could see Horsham rise to the top if they can
topple the reigning premiers.
Both teams in the first Open match on Saturday will be playing just their second matches for the season after sharing the byes over the first two rounds.
Warrack Hoops had a tough opener going down to the competition-leading Yanac Tigers last week, and the Nhill Rangers lost to the Hurricanes in the first round, so both will be determined to register a win.
The Hoops were not far behind the Tigers and look to be the stronger of these two at this point in the season, but the Rangers have potential and cannot be taken lightly.
The round will conclude with the Horsham Hurricanes stepping up to challenge the supremacy of the Yanac Tigers. After an encouraging round one victory, the Hurricanes tripped up against the Cobras last Saturday, so their form is still tricky to determine.
Taking on the Tigers is one way of discovering what they must do to stay in the top two on the
ladder.