The beginnings of the Super 7s comp started this past Saturday and mixed teams played in brilliant sunshine the opening skirmishes. Played end to end up and down the field scores where traded by each team until with only seconds to go the result still hung in the balance. Goals scorers for the bright yellow Vipers were Jess Verwey and Chris Sullivan, not to mention a fierce solo effort by the unstoppable young Anthony Lincoln who found himself the perfect opportunity and slotted home a fine goal. However the Perils, a team top and tailed by Grubers, made the most of their chances too and with Chloe Gruber near single-handedly arresting the advantage with a personal hat-trick (including the match winner) plus another goal to Tahlia Gruber meant the game ended 4 to 3.

Earlier in the week though, the Tuesday Night Hockey Comp players pushed through a brisk start with the egalitarian prize of a free BBQ wafting before their noses. Played via the usual format of teams made on the night that has been so enjoyed, a great game of hockey soon beat back the chill as mini steam trains raced back and forth across the field to arrive at a score no one can remember. Players are being sort for this competition as the weather turns and longer days lead to warmer nights. Anyone interested in this comp is invited to the hockey grounds at 6PM each Tuesday with plenty of chance to play hockey and as a bonus take home the bacon (well actually a free BBQ sausage, but still worth it).

Meanwhile the aforementioned first game of the Winter comp was between the ever-mighty Penguins and the beastly Badgers. The Penguins appeared to be missing a few members of their waddle, and more than a few of the Badgers were battling some form of cold or flu, but both teams were eager to take to the field. The players warmed up easily, and many a skill was being flaunted. It wasn’t long, however, before bold Badger boss Brady Kenny took the first goal of the game, setting the standard for his badgerlings. The badgerlings tried their best to keep up with their leader, but with pass after pass from him being missed in the circle, but finding the goal nonetheless, another three goals were ‘accidentally’ attributed to Brady anyway. A clever pass from Amy Harding and finished by Loren Wilkinson brought the halftime tally to 5-0 in favour of the Badgers. The second half of the game was met with much enthusiasm by the Penguins and both Chloe and Tahlia Gruber demonstrated their continual persistence and determination, however, against the continual onslaught of accidental pass-goals from Brady, nothing could be done. He managed another four goals during the second half bringing his personal tally to eight. Loren Wilkinson somehow got a slow-moving ball over the line and Liam McLachlan finally managed a goal of his own after several attempts that had either hit the post, or another player, in his attempts. Thus ended the game with the unexpected score of 11-0 for the Badgers.

DTS came up against the Blues in the second game of the day. It took 14 minutes before Michael Day claimed the first tally beside his name with a goal for DTS. There was much running up and down the field from both teams trying to do their best, and Fiona Douglas once again proved herself a fearsome kicking back beast, throwing herself at every ball that came her way. Special ring-in for the Blues, Chris Sullivan clearly wanted to make himself invaluable, chasing everything down and demonstrating impressive ninja skills in stopping just about every ball he thrust a stick at. Eventually, he succeeded in scoring his own goal to much cheering and celebration from the sidelines. 5 minutes later Michael Day managed his second goal for DTS from the top of the circle, shooting it past the dozen or so people between himself and the goal. The second half of the game proved just as closely matched and the only person to manage to score was Will Byrnes for the Blues. This brought the game to 2-2 in a draw.

Matches in tomorrow’s Super 7s competition will be at 1pm. Teams for this competition are still being finalised. Anyone interesting in joining the comp is encouraged to register at the hockey grounds, Sawpit Oval prior to the start of play on Saturday. This new competition is a great way to start playing hockey in a relaxed and casual environment that is a fun way to learn the game a get fit.

Round twelve matches in the South West Slopes Credit Union Winter Competition are as follows.

Ground 1 2pm – DTS versus Badgers (Umpires Red Backs and Penguins / Canteen Red Backs)

Ground 2 3:15pm – Red Backs versus Penguins (Umpires Badgers and DTS / Canteen Badgers)