North Albany claim third LGSHA women’s A-grade premierships in five seasons after final-quarter flurry

Three final-term goals sealed back-to-back Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade premierships for North Albany, finishing comfortable winners over Mt Barker in the grand final on Saturday afternoon. Redbacks claimed their third premiership in the past five seasons, having lost six of the seven grand finals prior to last year’s triumph. After finishing as the minor premiers, Redbacks won their semifinal and then proved far too good for Mt Barker in the grand final. Heading into the final term Redbacks held a one-goal advantage and the game was still up for grabs, but their class prevailed over a gallant Mt Barker. Mt Barker were right in the contest in the first three quarters in pursuit of their maiden premiership but weren’t able to keep up with a rampaging Redbacks outfit in the final term. Michelle Ericsson finished with a brace to be named best on ground. Ericsson netted her second goal early in the final term after a uperb run and strong strike beat the Mt Barker defence. Amy Sandilands was green carded soon after before Nicole Spinks found the back of the net from a second penalty corner, the first one being denied. Youngster Kylee Ferrell netted her second goal late in the piece, her deflection on the right post capped the 5-2 triumph. Ericsson and Ferrell were very solid contributors up front for Redbacks while Cate McDonald gave her side plenty of drive and youngster Tara Cunningham was solid in defence. Redbacks coach Matt Gouldthorp said he was proud of his players. “They deserved that result after a great season,” he said. “I thought we put in a strong four quarters and overwhelmed them in the end with good team hockey. “Our early goal set us up nicely but it was an arm wrestle after that until the game broke open in the last term. “It is nice to win back-to-back and get the reward but we mainly want to be proud of our effort whether we win or loose. “I think getting the penalty stroke in the third quarter really swung the momentum to us and then when we didn’t score from it, we really had to steel ourselves to still get the job done. “For me at three-quarter-time I could see that we were keen to push on and go for the win.” Ericsson netted the first goal of the contest midway through the first term after a scrappy play in Redbacks goal circle. In the second term both teams had their opportunities to score but were unable to find the back of the net, with desperate defence keeping penalty corners for both teams out. Redbacks youngster Lauren Spinks produced a superb run down the pitch that set up a deflected shot from Ferrell, putting their side up by two goals. Mt Barker goalkeeper Ashlyn Gardner made a wonderful diving save to deny a Redbacks penalty stroke in the third stanza and then Jessica McPartland found the back of the net inside the final minute of the third stanza to drag Mt Barker back into the contest. Tara Simpson added a goal late in the final term for Mt Barker but the damage had been done earlier in the term by Redbacks. Nekesha Fish was strong for Mt Barker along with Simpson and McPartland. “Proud of the group for making it to the grand final,” captain Laura Archer said. “We knew it was going to be a very tough game and North were just too strong. “Our defence was amazing but we didn’t capitalise up forward. “North made the most of their opportunities in front of goals. “In the third quarter we came back firing and were back in it. “Unfortunately we ran out of legs and their two quick goals hurt our confidence.”