THE unbeaten run of Castaways in the South West Slopes Credit Union hockey competition came to an end last Saturday at the hands of Naturals in what was a very tight game with only a goal late in the second half to Greg Burns breaking the deadlock.

In another surprise result Bears had an easy victory over Blues getting up 5-1 after leading 3-0 at the half time break.

With Peter Shepherd and Mel McDonald scoring doubles Bears had too much firepower for an under strength Blues who had to rely on Michelle Bennett to notch their only goal.

Penguins were off to a great start in their game against Cougars and were on track for their first win after Paul Gruber had twice found the net in the seventh and thirteenth minutes before Cougars replied with a penalty corner from Chris Skillen in the 23rd minute.

Then, just on half time, Olivia Jarrad combined with Ellie Burstall to have her shot on goal deflected off a defender before finding the net for the equaliser.

The second half saw Cougars step up the pace and in a 22 minute period from the twelfth minute onwards they found the back of the net on six more occasions to run out convincing 8-2 winners.

Brady Kenny broke the deadlock with a well worked goal and with Mick and Chris Skillen scoring from penalty corners and another Kenny goal before a trade mark Chris Skillen goal from a long solo run finished off with a cracking reverse stick shot on goal.

Olivia Jarrad finished the second half in the same manner as the first managing to get enough stick on a Chris Skillen cross to find the net and end the scoring.

Both Tradies and Red Backs were unable to field a full complement of players in their match and while this may have favoured the more mobile Tradies side, the new found resolution in the Red Backs attack saw them take the lead through Brad Ashton after 10 minutes of the first half.

Tradies only found the equaliser when awarded a penalty stroke minutes before half time which Andrew Hampton duly converted but not before Jack Everdell got a fair slice of stick on it only for it to deflect high into the net.

The second half started in much the same way with Red Backs taking the early lead courtesy of a fine run from David Ruthven to beat three defenders before scoring, Tradies secured the equaliser from a penalty corner to Peter Cockburn almost on full time.

Cockburn was most constructive for Tradies with Tennille Hampton playing strongly in defence while Jack Everdell, who made a number of vital saves, and Luke Cosgrove were Red Backs’ best.