Orbost Hockey Club made its first road trip of the 2025 East Gippsland Hockey Association (EGHA) season when it visited Sale at the Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex facility, with plenty of encouragement to be taken from a series of competitive fixtures.
Another high-scoring victory was recorded by the Green and Gold’s under 14s side, continuing their electrifying start to the year.
Many of the under 14 team have stepped up into this age grade for 2025, and this match showed how quickly they have clicked together.
The pace and power of Jasper Anderson proved to be a thorn in the side of the Sale defence throughout, with many of the six individual goals he scored being the result of strong team moves that created the space for his clean strikes into the back of the cage.
Lily Crofts and Alex Kenny both worked tirelessly up front to keep the ball in dangerous areas, with Kitty Millward’s determination to pounce on any loose balls in the “D” allowed her to score a well-deserved hat-trick of goals.
The dynamic duo of Geoffrey Florance and Cohen Mathews also impressed with their ability to intercept the ball in the centre and immediately propel it forward with precise passes, with the former also recording his name on the scoresheet after a clever corner move, as Orbost was victorious 10-0.
UNDER 10
The day began in cold and blustery conditions when the under 10s teams took to the field, with many of Orbost’s youngest brigade playing on artificial turf for the first time.
Although Sale’s greater level of experience enabled them to score at regular intervals, there were still many positive signs shown by the Green and Gold visitors, particularly the stick handling of Izzy Palmer, the rebound work of Grace Reddy and the tackling tenacity of Neave Songailo.
Keira Murray, Zoe Griebenow and Sadie Lindfield (on debut) displayed plenty of grit in the middle, while Demi Murray and Lara Kenny were always looking for opportunities to stream into attack.
Joe Millward put in a sterling performance on the last line of defence to thwart many Sale attacks, and in the dying moments was able to burst forward to convert a strong team move into a deserved consolation goal for his team, who went down 5-1.
UNDER 12
The under 12s was a keenly fought out encounter, Orbost had the majority of the play in the first term, Sale the upper hand in the second, with the hosts’ pair of goals during this period ultimately proving decisive.
Isobel Lawless, Harper Morgan and Asha Farley all battled hard throughout to win possession for the visitors, with Geoffrey Florance and Cohen Mathews providing plenty of drive into the ‘D’ and helping to keep the ball locked into attack.
With Harry Greenwood applying pressure on the wing, forwards Joe Millward and Darius Mathews were able to cause plenty of nervous moments for the Sale defence, unfortunately that extra touch to successfully divert the ball past the goalie eluded them as the home side took the win 2-0.
UNDER 16
The teams looked well matched which made for a tense and tight contest and it was a game where Orbost’s defence put in a magnificent performance to withstand almost everything that an experienced Sale outfit threw at them.
Goalie Jack Scott may only have been playing his second career game between the pipes, but his calm demeanour and well-timed boots saved his team on multiple occasions, particularly during the first half when the hosts earned themselves a string of short corners.
The tough tackling of Mia and Ava Martin on the backline plus Leni Millward just in front of them was another highlight for the Green and Gold, with the rebound work of Campbell Edlington and the tireless effort of Mitch Farley being key positives when the ball moved into the opposite half.
A pair of quick goals in the second half eventually gave Sale the lead, but both Jasper Anderson and Kitty Millward were then able to force saves out of the home keeper as Orbost fought to get itself back in the contest.
Peter Florance was able to find the back of the cage when he positioned himself perfectly on the back post to deflect home a loose ball that originated from Farley’s initial shot, but unfortunately the clock proved to be the ultimate enemy as he and his teammates sought an equalising score in vain, Sale scrambling home 2-1.
UNDER 18
The under 18s match produced plenty of end-to-end action, and a game that was closer than the final scoreline indicated, with Sale’s ability to strike from corners proving to be the decisive difference.
After the hosts jumped out to an early two-goal advantage, Orbost hit back when Chloe Findley was on hand to sweep the loose ball home after Campbell Edlington’s big burst forward had been denied.
The dynamic dribbling of Joe Mathews provided a real impetus for the Green and Gold in attack, with Jack Scott going close on a couple of occasions to converting his crosses into scores, before Mathews himself had a goal disallowed from a corner strike.
Ellie Florance was active throughout dispossessing opponents in midfield, and was able to feed the ball forward to Mitch Farley who twice fired wide after receiving long passes.
Although any chance of securing competition points had gone as the match closed down, Orbost’s effort never waned and was duly rewarded when Mathews delivered a magnificent goal from distance with a reverse stick hit, Sale home 6-2.
WOMEN
The match was a game of two halves as Orbost fought back after adjusting its strategy at the main break.
Despite the impressive clearance work of Lisa Murray and Sarah McDonald, and the bravery of Misty Anderson in charging down numerous short corners, Sale was able to convert their dominance of possession into a four-goal first half lead before a revitalised Green and Gold sought to turn the tide.
Casey Findley almost converted a cleverly threaded pass from Kerryn Volk into a goal, and moments later was denied again from close range.
With Bree Kenny and Ellie Florance operating effectively in tandem in midfield, Chloe Findley providing an injection of pace, and newcomers Alena Walmsley and Connie Greenwood steadily working themselves into the contest on the wings.
Orbost had its chances in attack but no luck when it was needed, symbolised by Jaime Haas’ efforts on the goal-line in a late scramble when the opportunity was somehow turned away.
Sale took the points with a 5-0 win, but plenty of positive signs for Orbost.
COMING UP
With three consecutive weekends coming up involving either school or public holidays, the EGHA will take an early season break.
The Green and Gold’s next matches will be on Saturday, May 3 when they host Maffra at the Orbost Recreation Reserve.
