Reigning premiers slip to bottom of the table

The finals race has heated up after reigning premiers Spencer Park slipped to the foot of the table after their loss to Vikings in round 10 of the Albany Retravision Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade competition last Saturday.

In the third meeting between the two sides this season, a fourth-quarter goal from Charlotte Powis was all that separated the pair in the end.

There were chances for both teams to break the deadlock but it was a penalty corner with 12 minutes to play that handed Vikings their third win of the 2019 campaign.

Charlotte Powis struck the winning blow, converting Vikings’ second pen-alty corner of the final term as they finished 1-0 winners.

Lorissa Ferrell caused the Park defence constant headaches and the Powis sisters, Charlotte and Georgie, also had a strong influence on the game.

Vikings’ hopes of playing finals are alive, sitting fourth with five rounds to play. Park are in a battle to try and defend their title, and after losing points for an unregistered player, are at the bottom of the table.

The defending premiers, who were best served by Sarah Hearle, Jorja Williamson and Caitlin Growden in the defeat, are last with 8.99 points and have the bye this weekend as they face a defining final month of the season.

The other women’s A-grade clash Mt Barker and North Albany has been rescheduled.

Spencer Park-Tigers’ revival in the second half of the season has continued as they downed Manypeaks in a round 13 fixture.

Round 13 games were switched with round 10 but that mattered little as Spencer Park-Tigers stormed to a fourth straight win.

Since copping a 10-0 hiding at the hands of North Albany in mid-June, Spencer Park-Tigers have beaten Manypeaks (3-2), Redbacks (4-0), Mt Barker (6-2) and now Peaks again.

Oscar Latham netted a brace while Sam Brown and Tim Yap showed their class as Spencer Park-Tigers cruised to a 5-0 win, to move within two points of ladder leaders Redbacks.

In the other men’s fixture, a hat-trick from Leander McQuade helped Redbacks to a 6-2 win over Mt Barker.