LGSHA 2023: Reigning premiers chalk up another win, Vikings keep finals hopes alive in men’s A-grade

Spencer Park remain hot premiership favourites in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade competition after recording their 11th win of the season on Saturday. Park saved a penalty stroke on the verge of half-time and added two goals in the second half on their way to a strong 4-2 win over the second-placed North Albany. The reigning premiers haven’t lost in 12 matches and sit 17 points clear on top of the ladder. A hat-trick from James Leiper and a fourth goal from Brodie Sarre ensured Park maintained their unbeaten record. Simon Philpott and Robert Stan-Bishop found the back of the net for the Redbacks but they missed an opportunity to draw level on half-time. The Redbacks were awarded a penalty stroke but keeper Simon Whitfort made the save to give Park a 2-1 lead at the break. Whitfort was vital in goals to help deny the Redbacks on more than one occasion while Leiper and Sarre were also influential for Park. The Redbacks were best served by Philpott, Hamish Wilkes and Stan-Bishop but they fell to a fifth loss of the season. Vikings kept their slim finals hopes alive with a 5-3 victory over Manypeaks in the other round 12 men’s A-grade fixture on Saturday. A hat-trick from David Pyle was the catalyst for Vikings’ second win of the season. Dan Beech and Reuben Law-Davis also scored as Vikings got within four points of the third-placed Peaks. Reagan Watson, Beech and Pyle were terrific contributors for Vikings while Peaks’ best players were Tim Pyle, Mitch Bradbury and Chris Metcalfe. The top-two sides will meet in a qualifying final to determine who progresses directly into the grand final and the loser of that game will then face the third-placed team in a preliminary final. Vikings still have a rescheduled clash against Park and then face games against the Redbacks and Park in the final two rounds. Meanwhile in the women’s A-grade competition the LGSHA outfit moved three points clear in the race for third position and a finals berth. Natasha Lewis scored the sole goal for LGSHA in their clash with Manypeaks on Saturday. The round 12 victory was set up by Brianna Cunningham, Lewis and Ziva Stan-Bishop. The best efforts of Pippa Wilson, Asher Peake and Jolene Olde were not enough for Peaks and they now sit three points outside of the top three with two rounds to play. Peaks also have a catch-up game against the ladder-leading Redbacks to play. The Redbacks were 3-1 winners over Park on Saturday, as goals from Sarah and Beck Gallimore and Felicity Ericsson proved decisive. Charlotte Whitfort found the back of the net for Park but they lost to Redbacks for the second straight week. The Redbacks had strong performances from Beck Gallimore, Charlotte Powis and Ericsson and they will finish the regular season comfortably on top of the ladder. Park are locked in to second place and their best players in the loss were Annie Judd, Whitfort and Bonnie Crook.