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Peaks hold off Redbacks’ late rally for win

Tim EdmundsAlbany Advertiser

Manypeaks have jumped to the top of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade competition after holding off a late surge from North Albany to record an impressive 3-2 win on Saturday.

Peaks appeared set to record a comfortable win in the top-of-the-table clash midway through the second half when the lead was pushed out to 3-0, but Redbacks had other ideas in the remaining 15 minutes of the contest.

Youngster Tallulah Gouldthorp slotted Redbacks’ first goal to the surprise of the Peaks’ defence against the run of play, which led to a dominant period of play.

Redbacks applied frantic pressure, forcing Peaks into uncharacteristic turnovers in the midfield, and the momentum had turned in their favour.

With Peaks’ defence under constant pressure, Carina Cronje scrambled home Redbacks’ second goal with only minutes remaining to give her side hope of a draw.

But Peaks held on in the dying minutes to record their fourth win of the season.

Earlier in the first half, Maddison Scade gave Peaks the early lead, which they took into half-time. Peaks looked to extend their lead early in the second half with experienced campaigners Renae Parsons and Courtney Robinson providing plenty of drive.

Defender Aeneva Poulish produced an impressive stick save on the goal line to deny Peaks a second goal but Robinson doubled Peaks’ advantage moments later from a penalty corner.

Parsons then added the ladder leaders’ third goal from close range giving Peaks their three-goal buffer. The win propelled Peaks past the second-placed Redbacks, who had occupied top spot until their second loss.

Youngsters Sophie McDonald and Cronje along with veteran Kelly Burlikowski were among the best for Redbacks while Charlotte Edwards joined Parsons and Robinson in the best for the victors.

In the men’s A-grade competition, Manypeaks maintained second spot on the ladder with a 2-1 win over North Albany.

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