Superb Ferrier hat-trick spearheads Victoria’s come from behind bronze victory against New South Wales

Victoria have claimed bronze medals in the women’s and men’s division of the Hockey Australia Country Challenge in Albany on Saturday. In the men’s bronze medal match a superb hat-trick from Max Ferrier powered his side to a 3-1 triumph over New South Wales, while a third-quarter strike was enough to get Victoria’s women across the line against the Australia Defence Force. NSW opened the scoring in the men’s fixture with Cody McCann converting a penalty corner in the ninth minute but their lead was short-lived as Ferrier equalised less than a minute later. Ferrier scored a second penalty corner goal on the verge of quarter-time and he made it a hat-trick with an outstanding flick in the second quarter as Victoria surged ahead. NSW keeper Logan Hunter denied a fourth Ferrier goal in the third and Victoria continued to press for another goal in the second half but ultimately finished 3-1 winners. The women’s bronze medal match was a tightly contested affair with no goals in the opening half. ADF put the ball in the back of the net from a penalty corner in the third quarter but it was disallowed for being too high. Victoria scored the only goal of the game when Emma Hatton’s shot in a penalty corner was smartly deflected home by Pippa Best in the 44th minute. ADF had a chance to draw level in the final term but they went down 1-0 at the final whistle.