LGSHA 2023: Two final quarter goals help North Albany sink Spencer Park to retain Jo Burling Memorial Shield

Two final quarter goals from North Albany ensured they claimed the Jo Burling Memorial Game for a ninth time, downing premiership rivals Spencer Park on Saturday. In the 23rd edition of the Burling memorial, played as part of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association’s Cancer Awareness Round, it took until the fourth quarter to break the deadlock between the two sides. Goals from Charlotte Powis and Felicity Ericsson helped the Redbacks win the memorial shield for the ninth time — equalling the number of wins Park have had on the big occasion. Staunch defending from both sides had the game locked up at nil-all when the match headed to half-time. The Redbacks had a penalty corner opportunity in the third term but the shot was wide of the mark. Just moments into the last quarter however the Redbacks broke the goal drought as Powis converted a field goal from strong build-up play. Another penalty corner soon after was snuffed out by the Park defence but Redbacks continued to press and it was only a matter of time before they scored again. From a penalty corner with less than three minutes to play, the Redbacks pushed the ball around before Ericsson fired home her side’s second goal from close range to put the result beyond doubt. The Redbacks’ 2-0 win came on the back of strong performances from Lauren Spinks and Sarah Gallimore while Powis provided great drive. Park defended well and had their moments in attack but they weren’t able to get meaningful circle penetrations. Jamiee Shannon was outstanding in defeat for Park while Tessa Wood and Chloe Bunny were also solid contributors. The Redbacks have now won 10 games this season in their pursuit of a fourth straight women’s A-grade title. The result pushed North Albany six points clear on top of the table with Park well clear in second place and the two sides will meet in the first week of finals. The memorial is played in honour of Albany hockey stalwart Jo Burling who died of breast cancer at the age of 42. A hat-trick from Natasha Lewis lifted LGSHA to their second win of the season as they beat Manypeaks in the other women’s A-grade fixture. Lewis netted three goals as the LGSHA claimed a 3-0 win to get themselves off the bottom of the ladder. Renae Parsons, Brianna Cunningham and Lewis played crucial roles for the LGSHA. For Peaks, Pippa Wilson tried valiantly to drag her side back into the contest and she had support from Lizzy Cunningham and Asher Peake but they slipped to an eighth loss of the season. In the men’s A-grade competition Spencer Park and North Albany played out an enthralling 4-4 draw. Park had won 10 straight games leading up to round 11 but they were forced to share the points with Redbacks. Ben Ross, James Leiper, Tim Yap and Brodie Sarre scored for Park but a double from Hamish Wilkes to go with goals from Robert Stan-Bishop and Lawson Terpstra helped Redbacks secure one point. Sarre, Charlie Hudson and Yap were strong contributors for Park while Redbacks best players were Simon Philpott, Wilkes and Kaden Patterson. Manypeaks and Vikings played out a 2-2 draw in the other men’s A-grade contest on Saturday night. Two goals from Vikings’ JP Swart were cancelled out by strikes from Nick Bradbury and Hudson Field. In Vikings second draw of the season Swart was well supported by Tim Burns and David Pyle. Ben Pratt along with Mitch and Nick Bradbury were vital in Peaks escaping with one point.