Round 15 marked the final action of the 2024 East Gippsland Hockey Association home and away season last Saturday, and five of Orbost’s teams played their last matches of the year together against Sale at the WORLD facility in Bairnsdale.
Although the day did not go the Green and Gold’s way results-wise, their sides all put up creditable performances against tough opponents, including the under 14s team who were tuning up for their elimination final appearance this week.
Orbost’s under 10s side have gelled as a competitive outfit this season, particularly the five first-year players who have all taken to hockey with enthusiasm and skill, improving both their individual and team play each week.
In what was a fast-paced and open encounter against Sale, Orbost tackled hard and gave its all throughout, particularly with Isobel Lawless, Harper Morgan and Sophie Scott always busy contesting the ball across the ground.
Asha Farley and Savannah Lindfield were able to inject some power and pace into the front line and help to create a number of attacking chances for their team, one of which Lindfield was able to convert into the back of the cage to level the scores up just before the half time break.
Sale was able to hit the scoresheet on three more occasions in the second half as it found its way through a determined Orbost defence, but regardless of the result, this was another strong team performance the Green and Gold youngsters could be proud of.
Final score:
Sale 4 d Orbost 1.
Although no official league ladder is kept for the under 12s competition, Orbost’s youngsters who have taken to the field in this grade this season have been in every contest they have played, and as a result of a last round draw against Sale, end its campaign with an even record of six wins, six losses and a pair of draws.
In what was a hard-fought contest full of timely tackles and effective clearances on both sides, it was the Green and Gold who struck first after an impressive drive on goal by Kitty Millward created a sharp chance for Alex Kenny on the far post that he clinically converted.
Cohen Mathews and Geoffrey Florance were continually dispossessing their opponents and propelling the ball upfield and Orbost had the chance to pad its lead before the break thanks to a pair of Lily Crofts’ crosses to Monty Redman that just missed their target.
After Millward hit the post after another drive on goal, her brother Joe made a fine intervention on his own goal-line to keep Sale out, but ultimately their opponents found a way through to snatch a deserved equaliser in the dying minutes of the contest.
Final score:
Sale 1 dw Orbost 1.
Orbost’s sole representatives in the 2024 finals series will be its under 14s team and after securing fourth spot on the ladder last week, this match against Sale provided an opportunity to test themselves against a side who have won many more games than they have lost this season.
The Green and Gold were under pressure immediately at the back, but a fine save from goalie Campbell Edlington kept their opponents out early, as did a big Peter Florance tackle to end a particularly dangerous break.
At the opposite end of the ground Orbost had a chance to score when the rebound from Chloe Findley’s well-struck corner shot eluded the stick of Jack Scott, plus Kayley Robinson’s attacking endeavour was rewarded with a pair of sharp strikes that required good saves to keep them out of the Sale cage.
Despite conceding a trio of first half goals, the visitors were able to keep a clean sheet after the main break thanks to Leni Millward’s authoritative clearance work, Sarah Gladstone’s tenacious tackling and the strong linking play of sisters Mia and Ava Martin in the centre, all of which are positives that the team will take into their win or go home elimination final against Swan Reach this week.
Final score:
Sale 3 d Orbost 0.
Orbost Hockey Club’s under 14s side will travel to the WORLD facility in Bairnsdale this Saturday when they take on Swan Reach in a sudden death fixture to determine who will move onto the preliminary final and further September action.
