Spencer Park jump to third after ending losing streak

Spencer Park snapped a four-game losing streak and lifted themselves from the bottom of the table with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Manypeaks in round 12 of the Albany Retravision Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade competition on Saturday afternoon.

After starting the season with a flurry, Park had lost four games in a row and last tasted victory back in round 5 against Tigers, but the result ended a frustrating period for their side.

Peaks star Renae Parsons surprisingly played as a fill-in goalkeeper but both sides’ defence played well in the opening 35 minutes.

After a scoreless first half, Park were able to open their account through Rachael Goetze.

With youngster Sarah Hearle playing well through midfield and the return of Annie Judd to defence, Park continued to link up well and soon enough Goetze had doubled their advantage.

Park appeared to have wrapped up the match when Goetze began celebrating with her teammates after scoring a hat-trick, only for umpires to disallow the goal.

Peaks pushed forward with purpose late in the piece and they were rewarded with two consecutive penalty corners, the second of which Alice Lydiate converted inside the final five minutes.

Park were under plenty of pressure in the dying stages as Peaks came again, desperately searching for an equaliser, but their defence held firm to hand them a 2-1 win.

Judd, Hearle and Goetze were all terrific for Park in the vital result, the three points helping them jump from last to third place on the standings.

Charlotte Edwards was again strong on the ball for Peaks and was joined in the best players by Meg Slattery and Lydiate.

In the other women’s fixture, ladder-leaders North Albany recorded their eighth win of the season after downing Tigers 3-1.

Young star Tallulah Gouldthorp scored twice for Redbacks, who dominated possession and chances on goal, and now sit 11 points clear on top of the table.

In the men’s A-grade competition, Peaks joined Park on six points after their 2-0 win in round 7 on Saturday evening.

Peaks won an early penalty stroke against Park, but Chris Metcalfe’s shot was off the right inside the first two minutes of the game.

A penalty corner eventually led to Peaks opening the scoring as the initial shot was saved, only for Tim Pyle to pounce on the loose ball and put his side ahead.

Tim Yap failed to equalise from a penalty corner late in the first half for Park, with his shot off-target.

David Pyle would then ensure the result in the second half, his goal the only successful strike of the final 35 minutes.

On Friday night Mt Barker finished 3-0 winners over Redbacks at home with Nic Slade, Reece Curwen and Kurt Wise all instrumental in the result.