Emphatic 4-0 win helps North Albany surge clear at the top of LGSHA women’s A-grade standings

Reigning women’s A-grade premiers North Albany continued their strong recent form, easily beating Manypeaks on Saturday afternoon to move clear on top of the standings. The Redbacks sat in second place for a chunk of the early part of the season but have recaptured some of their best form and this was on display in a 4-0 triumph over Peaks in round 11. Goals from Felicity and Michelle Ericsson, Jessica Kendall and young star Lauren Spinks guided the Redbacks to their seventh win of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association season. Casey Gabriel was instrumental for the winners, setting them up going forward while Sarah Gallimore won plenty of possession and Spinks was dangerous in the front half. Peaks were best served by Pippa Wilson, Jemma Sayers and Laura Cinanni. Round 11 featured four women’s A-grade games ahead of a break for the Hockey Australia Country Challenge. The Redbacks were impressive 4-2 winners against Mt Barker in Albany last Thursday, led by a dominant display from Spinks. The teenager netted a hat-trick to propel her side to victory, as they fought off a building Mt Barker outfit that is headlined by Laura Archer and Zali Spencer. Archer scored twice for Mt Barker but a strike from Kendall and Spinks’ three goals ensured the Redbacks collected three points. Spinks was the most influential player on the pitch and was well supported by Bridget Tilse and Gabriel. Spencer and Archer did plenty of work for Mt Barker and Nekesha Fish was also prominent. In the first game of round 11 played last Tuesday, a goal from Sienna Ball handed Spencer Park victory against Peaks. Park’s win was set up by the efforts of Elsa Curwen, Rachael Goetze and Ella Sarre while Emma Tomkinson was outstanding in a losing affair. On Sunday, Park travelled to Mt Barker for their second game in a week but the two sides could not be separated, ending in a 1-all draw. The same two sides played on Tuesday night in a round 14 fixture and again the match finished 1-1. The Redbacks sit two points clear of Park in top spot going into the break. Meanwhile in the men’s A-grade competition there were four matches in round 10 starting last Tuesday when Spencer Park finished 4-1 winners over Manypeaks. A double from Brodie Sarre and goals to Darren Parkes and Mitch Dolan continued Park’s unbeaten streak. On Thursday the Redbacks prevailed in an enthralling contest over Vikings as Toby Tweedle and Hamish Wilkes starred in the 3-0 result. Vikings and Peaks shared the points on Saturday afternoon, as a goal from Daniel Stephenson was cancelled out by Vikings’ Burger Van Zyl. David Pyle was influential for Vikings in the 1-1 draw while Tim Pyle and Tim Metcalfe shone for Peaks. Park made it 11 wins in a row and maintained their unbeaten status on Saturday as they notched a 2-1 win over the Redbacks. Goals from Alex Fergie and Sarre were enough for the victors while Jack Carlson scored for the losing side. However in a major upset, Park’s unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday night after Vikings emerged 4-1 winners in a round 13 clash. Park have 33 points from their 12 games and sit well clear of the second-placed Peaks on 11.