Coastal Women

West Devonport will advance to play Devonport Orange in the grand final next week after defeating Devonport Blue 5-1. Blue started the game at their usual fast and intense pace taking free hits quickly and using the play on rule to their advantage pressurising the West defence. But numerous shots at goal that went begging came back to haunt Blue who had the majority of attack in the first half, but went to the half time break with the score nil all. Early in the second half Blue were awarded a short corner that Emily Turner sent to her sister Amy, who was on the post and put it away.  Blue held the lead for awhile but then West had a number of quick turnovers, converting against the flow of the game at every opportunity they had while Blue could not.  West’s Megan Clark scored a hat trick, firstly from a solo effort, then a rebound off Blue’s goalie Narelle Dempsey's kickers then from a crossed ball which she deflected in from the spot. Blue continued to attack, and forced a number of penalty corners, but could not convert, while West gained in momentum with  Jackie Johnson scoring from a straight shot off a penalty corner which deflected high while the icing on the cake came from a long diagonal ball which West's Jenny Reid sent to Jodie Jeffrey who was sitting unmarked on the top of the circle.  She converted just before full time and although Blue played the game out they could do nothing more than wonder what might have been. Jodie Thow was West’s best player while Kym Corcoran and  Karen Hall played tirelessly for Blue.

Div 2 Men

City  Marians have secured the first grand final berth by defeating South Burnie 3 nil on Saturday. The game was locked up with the defensive lines holding firm for the first 25 minutes of the game before City gained momentum from Glen Cock, who structured up its forward line. Tim Honegger broke the deadlock before half time when he picked up his own rebound from the initial good save from South Brayden Smith. The second half remained tight until the Hawkins pushed for an equalise, which allowed City forwards more freedom. This Provided Honegger with the opportunity to score again along with Simon Vandenberg. 

 Baptist progressed to the preliminary final accounting for Smithton 3 nil.  In a match that started tightly it was Tyson House who broke the deadlock when the game finally opened up. The Saints were unable to convert their corner opportunities early in the second half and paid the price when Evan Davies put the Blues two up before Michael Phillips iced the game, with 10 minutes to go.

Burnie Districts A Reserve Women

The last round of roster games saw 3 hard fought games with Penguin and Burnie Baptist winning by the narrowest of margins and in a preview of next week’s grand final, South Burnie and Brooklyn playing out a 2 all draw.

The first game saw the fight for the wooden spoon. Wynyard Somerset had more of the attack in the first half, and consistent play was rewarded when Cassandra Willcox scored with 10 minutes to go to the break.   Penguin had forced a few penalty corners, but were not able to evade Wynyard’s vigilant defence with kicking back Katherine Weller making some timely saves, until with only 2 minutes left in the half Jenna Welling snuck a goal through levelling the score. Both teams fought hard in the second half, Penguin’s defence of Katrina Ralston and Glynis Mc Grail were combining well to cut off Wynyard forays into attack, while Danielle Butler was giving them a  target on the forward line. Wynyard’s  Alice Sadler played her normal solid game, keeping her team in the contest and combining well with Lou Ireland  and sister Hanna to keep the pressure on Penguin. When it looked like the game would end in a draw, Penguin forced a penalty corner late in the half, which Brooke Murfet converted to keep her team in 5^thspot on the final ladder.

In the second game Baptist scored early in the first half, when Shauni  Mitchell eluded the City defence to give her team an early lead. Play then continued to fluctuate between the attacking 25’s. Baptist’s young backline, Sarah Batchelor and Ashley Murphy,  were bolstered by GNL goalie Alyssa Marmion and they worked well together to restrict City’s scoring opportunities, while Natalie Mitchell was dominant through the middle, pushing up into attack and directing numerous through balls onto the sticks of Baptist’s waiting forwards.   City’s defence tagged well, and did not allow Baptist’s running players any leverage. Louise Gates was dangerous across the centre, mopping up any loose balls and pushing her team back into attack and they scored early in the half through  Leah Denny.  Baptist continued to attack, and Shauni Mitchell with a good solo run, burnt off her opposition and put her team back in front. City fought back and  Dana Challis had a number of runs into their attacking circle, but  Baptist’s defence stood firm, to run out winners 2 – 1.

The Brooklyn, South Burnie game set the scene for an interesting grand final next week.  Brooklyn has not had a lot of work in defence through out the year, with their strong half back line normally cutting off the majority of play, but South broke through on a number of occasions and were able to take the game up to them. Strong play by South's defence frustrated the Brooklyn attack, who were unable to make their fast breakaways, with Debbie Revell being held scoreless. While Brooklyn’s Andrea Wescombe was strong across the centre, South kept the ball wide and used their bench well to run out the game a 2 all draw.