LGSHA 2023: Georgia Stephenson nets winner for Manypeaks, North Albany extend winning streak to four games

A final-quarter goal helped Manypeaks secure their second win of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade season on Saturday. New women’s A-grade outfit LGSHA conceded an early goal but drew level nearing half-time to leave the round four clash up for grabs heading into the last half. LGSHA had the better of the chances in the third term, including a couple of late circle penetrations but they couldn’t break the deadlock as Peaks’ defence held firm. In the first couple of minutes of the fourth term Peaks went ahead again as Georgia Stephenson pounced on a defensive mistake and got around LGSHA’s goalie to tap in her side’s second goal. Peaks were not done with there and they created a couple more chances as they looked for a third goal. Stephenson went close to making it a double and then Peaks had two penalty corners in a row, the second well cleared by the LGSHA defence. Lysbeth Cunningham was creating plenty of attack for Peaks and in the final minute a ball into the circle couldn’t be gathered but the result was secure. Cunningham scored in the first term to put Peaks ahead and they finished 2-1 winners. Emma Tomkinson was outstanding for Peaks and was well supported by Pippa Wilson, Ruby Bradbury and Stephenson. Renae Parsons scored the LGSHA goal against her former team and was influential while Clare King was sound in defence, Laura Cinanni won plenty of the ball and Bailey Hibberd was also in the best players. North Albany continued their winning streak in the other women’s A-grade match, beating Spencer Park. Lauren Spinks and Beck Gallimore found the back of the net in the 2-1 result as they won a fourth successive game with Michelle Ericsson joining the two goal scorers in the best players. For Park their goal was scored by Tallulah Gouldthorp and they were best served by Annie Judd, Rachael Goetze and Chloe Bunney. In the men’s A-grade competition Spencer Park were dominant 8-1 winners in their clash with Vikings on Saturday night. A hat-trick from star Brodie Sarre and doubles to Hennie Botha and James Leiper ensured Park cruised to their fourth win and remain undefeated in an ominous start to their title defence. Leiper, Botha and Charlie Hudson were terrific for Park in the big result.The best contributors for Vikings were David Pyle, Paul Stobie and Burger van Zyl, the latter scoring their only goal. Manypeaks and North Albany played out a 2-2 draw in the other men’s A-grade fixture. Mitch Bradbury and Hudson Field scored for Peaks but they were cancelled out by strikes from Simon Philpott and Travis Douglas. Peaks were best served by Chris Metcalfe, Tim Pyle and Nick Bradbury while Matt Edgar was highly influential for Redbacks and had strong support from teammates Philpott and Jack Carlson.