Orbost Hockey Club’s under 16s side went into their contest last Saturday looking to make a clean sweep against Wellington at the WORLD facility in Bairnsdale, and they did not disappoint.
In round 13 of the East Gippsland Hockey Association 2024 season, Orbost’s under 16s grabbed the initiative from the get-go and quickly found themselves two up after a brace of almost identical goals from Chloe Findley, powering home the rebounds from the saved shot of her teammates.
Mitch Farley had one of those games where he seemed to be everywhere all at once and created numerous goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his fellow forwards, two of which were cleverly converted into the cage by a well-positioned Campbell Edlington on the back post.
Kayley Robinson too played a fine all-round game, and when her efforts were rewarded with a well-taken shot from a tight angle, the Green and Gold were five goals to the good at the half.
Wellington strived hard to drag themselves back into the contest, and indeed they did manage a consolation strike of their own after the break, but with Phoebe Findley and Dom Preston regularly intercepting balls and propelling them forward at every opportunity, Orbost maintained its firm grip on the game.
Edlington once more proved his worth in front of goal when he was the first to react to a loose ball and push it into the cage for his third and his team’s sixth score, with Ellie Florance making it seven not long after when she finished off a corner move with a neat strike.
There was still time for two more goals though, both of which came off the stick of Jasper Anderson to round out Orbost’s comprehensive win and its big day in the sun.
Final score: Wellington 1 lt Orbost 9.
With Orbost’s under 18s team being made up of a younger demographic this season, their campaign has been one that is more about progress achieved on the field rather than points secured, facts which made their comfortable win over Wellington all the more noteworthy and encouraging.
With Mitch Farley once again full of drive and determination and with Joe Mathews contributing plenty of clever ball movement, Orbost certainly played its part in a frenetic opening half full of chances at both ends, with goalie Dom Preston’s fast reactions helping to keep Wellington’s best efforts at bay.
As the first half ticked down it appeared likely that it would end goal-less, but Georgia Anderson thought differently and was able to convert Chloe Findley’s cross to break the deadlock from close range.
Anderson didn’t want to stop there however and was firing the ball goalwards again moments later, with Farley being on hand to sweep home the rebound to double his team’s lead.
Wellington’s reaction to the Green and Gold’s surprise lead was to halve it just after the restart, but Orbost was in no mood to let the initiative slip and responded with a fantastic team counterattacking goal from Leni Millward who made no mistake in firing the ball into the corner of the cage after Anderson’s initial effort had drawn the goalie out of position.
Any notion of a Wellington comeback were then extinguished when firstly a confident charge through the centre by Mia Joiner delivered a perfect ball for Jasper Anderson to smash home, followed by a big Mathews burst through the defence and a cross which Farley clinically converted from a tight angle.
Final score: Wellington 1 lt Orbost 5.
Orbost Hockey Club will next be back in action this Saturday when it hosts Swan Reach.
Later that evening (7pm at the Orbost Community College hall) the club will hold its major fundraiser for the year, the fourth annual Trivia Night.
