LGSHA 2024: North Albany through to men’s and women’s A-grade grand finals after superb semifinal weekend

North Albany enjoyed a successful semifinal weekend with their women’s and men’s teams through to the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association grand finals. The women’s semifinal on Saturday was a thriller, with the Redbacks forced to beat Mt Barker in a golden goal period after the two sides could not be separated at the end of regular time. Mt Barker clinched third spot after Manypeaks were booted from the finals for playing an unregistered player, losing four premiership points, and following an unsuccessful appeal they officially finished outside the top three on the standings. Defending premiers Redbacks opened the scoring in the first half of the women’s A-grade preliminary final before a goal from Mt Barker in the third quarter levelled the scores. Mt Barker missed three chances at netting another goal in a dramatic final two minutes of regular time. The 1-1 score forced the two teams into golden goal and it was the Redbacks who prevailed, needing two and a half minutes to break the deadlock and secure a grand final berth with a 2-1 triumph. In the men’s A-grade semifinal, Manypeaks were bounced out in straight sets despite finishing the regular season on top of the ladder. Peaks lost to Spencer Park in the quarterfinals and then went down to an impressive North Albany outfit on Saturday afternoon. It appeared Peaks were on their way to the decider after opening the scoring in the last five minutes of the first term. However the Redbacks hit back with one goal in each of the next three quarters to secure a 3-1 victory. With 20 seconds on the clock in the second quarter, the Redbacks scored their first goal after failing to take advantage of a short corner earlier in the term. Goals in the third and fourth terms sealed the result and their defence held firm late under plenty of Peaks pressure. Steven Wiech scored twice and Robert Stan-Bishop also found the back of the net for Redbacks. Both teams will now progress to take on Spencer Park in the men’s and women’s grand finals on Saturday.