LGSHA 2024: North Albany, Spencer Park firm as women’s title fancies, Manypeaks impress in men’s A-grade

North Albany and Spencer Park confirmed their status as the top two teams in the women’s A-grade premiership race, both recording convincing wins on Saturday. In round 11 of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association Retravision women’s A-grade competition, Redbacks were 3-1 winners over Mt Barker in Albany while Spencer Park put five goals in the net in their victory against Manypeaks. A brace from Michelle Ericsson and another strike from Felicity Ericsson guided Redbacks to their ninth win of the season. The result leaves them nine points clear on top of the ladder and guaranteed of a finals double chance. Georgie Powis was terrific for the winners along with Felicity and Michelle Ericsson. Felicity Ericsson opened the scoring for Redbacks but that was cancelled out by a goal from Mt Barker’s Clare King as the two sides were locked at one-all approaching three quarter time. However two late goals from Michelle Ericsson broke the deadlock, as Redbacks continued on their winning ways in pursuit of a fifth straight women’s title. In the other women’s A-grade fixture, Park were clinical in the attacking circle as they claimed a 5-2 win over Peaks. Tallulah Gouldthorp was terrific with two goals while Tess Congram, Anna Moffat and Tessa Wood also scored in Park’s sixth win of the season. Meg Slattery and Lysbeth Cunningham found the back of the net for Peaks but they slipped 12 points behind Park with four rounds left in the regular season. Slattery, Bronwyn Pitman and Asher Peake were the best performers for Peaks while Park were best served by Rani Flynn, Moffat and Congram. Meanwhile in the men’s A-grade competition, Manypeaks beat Spencer Park for a third time this season as their rivalry grows heading towards the finals. The two sides are likely to meet in the first week of finals with a spot in the decider up for grabs. In round 11 on Saturday, Peaks finished 5-2 winners to move six points clear on top of the ladder. Campbell Mayne scored twice to go with goals from Mitch Bradbury, Hayden Mills and Theo Gummery with Mayne and Gummery highly influential across the four quarters. Brodie Sarre and James Leiper scored for Park but the defending premiers slumped to a third loss of the year. North Albany and Mt Barker shared the points in the other men’s A-grade match. Daniel Fisher and Jack Carlson scored for Redbacks while Mt Barker’s goals came from Nic Slade and Louis van Senden, but their side is in danger of missing the finals, trailing the third-placed Redbacks by five points.