Spencer Park held off Mt Barker to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade competition, while Manypeaks cruised to a convincing win in the men’s fixtures.

After a break in the fixtures, women’s action resumed with plenty of intensity as both sides battled through a tightly contested opening quarter.

Park broke the dry spell in the second quarter after earning a short corner.

A slick pass to Annie Judd from the top of the circle allowed her to fire a direct shot past the goalkeeper to give Park a 1-0 lead.

Mt Barker responded after half-time, with Zali Spencer finding the the back of the net in the third quarter to level the scores and set up a tense finish.

The two teams came out firing in the final term but it was Park who found the next gear, with Charlotte Clayton scoring the winner to seal the 2-1 victory.

Judd was among Park’s best players alongside Lauren Spinks and Amy Towers, while Courtney Pyle, Sura Vandenheuvel and Tameka Brown were Mt Barker’s standout performers.

In the men’s competition, Manypeaks were in complete control, defeating North Albany 7-1.

Oliver Douglas led the way with a hat-trick, while J.P. Swart, Ryan Johnson, Hayden Henning and Jesse Carman scored a goal each.

Redbacks’ lone goal came through Lawson Terpstra.

Peaks’ Jordan Dwyer received a yellow card during the match.

Douglas, Campbell Mayne and Samuel Graham were named Peaks’ best players, while Travis Douglas, Jayden Koster and Hamish Wilkes impressed for Redbacks.

In the men’s competition this week, Lower Great Southern will play North Albany at 6.45pm on Thursday, and on Friday Spencer Park will play Manypeaks at 8pm.

On Saturday in the women’s competition, Mt Barker will be at home against North Albany at 3.15pm, and Spencer Park will face Manypeaks at 5pm in Albany.