Lower Great Southern Hockey Association fall short of grand finals but finish with host of All-Star players

Lower Great Southern Hockey Association were unable to reach any grand finals at the 2020 CBH Group Men’s and Women’s State Country Championships in Perth at the weekend. Three teams represented the LGSHA, one each in men’s division one and two along with a division one women’s side. The men’s division one side finished equal top of standings at the end of their four pool games before losing both their crossover semifinals to finish the championships in fourth place. LGSHA were reigning champions in women’s division one but finished their pool games in third spot and lost their first semifinal to Bunbury before winning over Geraldton to finish in third. Darren Parkes, who won the men’s A-grade best and fairest in the LGSHA this season, was crowned the best and fairest in division one in the championships. Parkes was selected in the All-Star team alongside fellow LGSHA players Pieter Coetzee, Leander McQuade and goalie Heath Cremasco. Four LGSHA players were also chosen in the women’s All-Star team after enjoying great carnivals Beck Gallimore, Courtney Robinson, Annie Judd, Georgina Lilford and goalie Bonnie Crook were all recognised. The men’s division one team notched a 3-2 victory over Geraldton on Saturday before losing 1-0 to Bunbury later that day. A 1-0 victory over eventual winners Upper Great Southern Hockey Association on Sunday helped LGSHA finish equal top but lost both their crossovers semifinal to Bunbury (1-0) and Geraldton (3-0) to finish in fourth. On Saturday the women’s division one team had a 1-1 draw with Geraldton and then drew 1-1 with Bunbury before losing 2-1 to Upper Great Southern on Sunday to finish their pool games in third place. They lost their crossover semifinal clash 1-0 to Bunbury and then went on to beat Geraldton 1-0 on the final day to finish in third. The men’s division two outfit recorded two wins, two losses and a draw across the three-day champs.