LGSHA 2024: North Albany stay undefeated in women’s A-grade title defence, men’s A-grade salvage brave draw

North Albany again proved they are the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association premiership favourites after winning a supremely competitive women’s A-grade grand final rematch with Spencer Park on Saturday. After succeeding Park in last year’s decider, Redbacks had to fend off a hard-pushing Park side late to claim a thrilling 2-1 victory in the Wellington & Reeves Round. Park were trailing 2-0 in the final minutes of the match before Tallulah Gouldthorp converted a goal-line scramble from a penalty corner, to spark life into a Park comeback. Minutes later they had a chance to equalise from a penalty corner but failed before the Redbacks smartly drained the clock to secure the win, keeping their perfect record intact. Earlier, Park were forced to rue a string of missed penalty corners in the second as the Redbacks made them pay the ultimate price when Felicity Ericcson’s penalty corner set up a magnificent drag flick goal from Casey Gabriel to open the scoring late in the half. The third was played mainly in transition before the Redbacks had a flurry of chances leading to a disallowed goal, as the initial penalty corner shot was not hitting the backboard, before Bonnie Crook made a sensational save at the very next set piece. But the pressure Redbacks mounted on Park proved insurmountable and Ericsson smartly deflected a Charlotte Powis shot from a penalty corner on the stroke of three-quarter-time. Fullbacks Gabriel, Powis and Kelly Burlikowksi were excellent in generating the reigning premiers’ attacks, while Rani Flynn, Ella Sarre and Elsa Curwen were superb for Park. In the other women’s A-grade match, Manypeaks held off a fighting challenge from Mt Barker in Albany on Saturday, prevailing 3-2. Meg Slattery was sublime for the hosts, netting a brace while Zoe Mills also scored a goal and Renae Sheridan was also a key contributor to the win. Zali Spencer was instrumental for the visitors with two goals and was soundly supported by Clare King and Brianna Cunningham. In the men’s A-grade competition, North Albany salvaged an impressive draw against the dual premiers Spencer Park. Redbacks’ shot-stopper Reagan Watson made a sensational save in the dying minutes to thwart a dangerous Park short corner before Park had one last set piece after the final whistle to steal victory. But the Redbacks were sturdy in defence and cleared the ball without damage dealt, sharing the points with Park in a 1-1 draw. Watson was on fire all game fending off most of Park’s shots at goal while Ben Talbot was prolific in the draw. After neither side could break each other’s defences through the opening three quarters, Park’s Brodie Sarre broke the deadlock early in the last. Park player-coach Darren Parkes and young gun Charlie Hudson played pivotal roles for the titleholders. In the final match of the A-grade competition, Manypeaks secured a 3-2 victory over Mt Barker in Albany on Saturday. Peaks’ goals all came from the sticks of Mitch Bradbury, Jordan Dwyer and Hayden Mills while Nic Slade and Lachy Gilmour both netted home a goal for Mt Barker.