Congratulations to Red Backs who go back-to-back this year, playing the game with great skill and fairness proving worthy champions again. Judges awarded Luke Cosgrove Man of the Match and Chloe Muggleton, who had played the best game of her life, Woman of the Match well done to both players.
Other match of the day: B Grade final almost proved a non-starter. Blues and Cougars lined up. Neither team stretched very far with each managing only six players a piece. Cougars took advantage of running downhill in the first half of a gamed flooded with goals. Scoring first was Liam McLachlan, Brady Kenny and Matt Zuzek who managed an impressive hat-trick before half-time giving Cougars a 5-0 lead at the break.
Blues started the second strongly and soon fought back to 8-4 down with goals to Courtney Foster, Kyle McGovern and a double to Michael Adams amongst three goals to Cougar’s player Loren Wilkinson. The match finished with Liam and Brady scoring again for Cougars and Angela Noon bringing the Blues total to five. The match finished with Cougars beating Blues 12-5.
Following the games the presentations saw team and association awards handed out.
Most improved female student, Hanna Laybutt. Most improved male student, Liam Stuart. Most improved female, Joanne Garlick. Most improved male, William Byrne.
And following consistent strong performances throughout the year awards for Best and Fairest saw players recognised as the best this season.
Best and fairest female student, Courtney Foster. Best and fairest male student, Elliott Dodd. Best and fairest female, Milly Arber. Best and fairest male, Bronte Rathjen.
These results were well deserved with Bronte taking the prize with daylight second capping a stellar season with an understrength DTS who relied heavily on his skill all year. Milly made it three times a winner taking her award again for Blues and deservedly so, firmly establishing her reputation as the best defender in the competition. Another repeat winner was Courtney, also from DTS, rewarded for her efforts this year after making herself a force in the team’s defensive unit. Elliott amazingly took out his category after injury delayed his start to the season with only six games for the Red Backs, a testament to his skill and contributions this year. Congratulations to all of these players for their awards. Other winners were Hope Smith for her season-long efforts, patience and the respect of players taking out the Contribution to Umpiring, with Brady Kenny awarded Club Person of the Year.
Team awards gave captains the chance to reward two players, always a difficult decision, and where given to the following players
Congratulations to all teams and players who have been a part of this season, however for those not quite finished with hockey just yet our mid-week twilight comp begins next Tuesday. With the start of daylight savings and sunny days starting to out-number wet days it’s the perfect time to start not stop playing hockey. So we begin again, the Tuesday comp is a push only format with new and returning players invited to play. For anyone interested in joining please contact the club on our Facebook page (Young Combined Hockey) or meet at the grounds (Sawpit Oval) prior to the game.
