Commanding performance against Spencer Park powers Mt Barker into second straight grand final

Mt Barker progressed to their second straight Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade decider after proving far too strong for Spencer Park in their preliminary final on Saturday. From the outset Mt Barker were on top and ran out 3-1 winners to secure a grand final berth against North Albany this Saturday. Nekesha Fish was important in the finals victory, scoring a brace for Mt Barker. Mt Barker had the chance to score early in the contest but both their penalty corner attempts were blocked by Park’s defence. However, with just 10 seconds left on the clock, youngster Amy Sandilands found the back of the net after a scrappy play in her attacking circle to put Mt Barker up 1-0. Mt Barker went two goals up early in the second term after Fish converted from close range. Park needed to lift to keep themselves in the game and they did, earning a penalty corner but it was blocked. Less than a minute later a brilliant run from Emma Thompson set up their first goal and Henrietta Lilford got the ball past the keeper to lift Park’s chances of victory going into half time. Mt Barker continued to press hard in the third stanza but Park goalkeeper Bonnie Crook produced a strong save. Fish got a ball crossed to her right in front and she made no mistake, netting her second goal to put Mt Barker in a commanding position at three-quarter-time. Park needed something special in the final term to secure a win and they earned two penalty corners but couldn’t peg the goals back and were eliminated. Sandilands and Jess McPartland were impressive in the win and captain Laura Archer was also outstanding. Kylie Tschabotar was strong in defence for Park while Georgina Lilford and Chloe Bunny were also gallant in defeat.