Win moves Mt Barker to second place in women’s standings

Mt Barker moved to second place in the Albany Retravision Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade competition after a win over Spencer Park last Thursday.

Both sides had their chances early but Park did well to blunt a number of Mt Barker attacks and went in level with their opponents at half-time.

Park again defended well early in the second half before, by weight of pressure and time in the forward half, Mt Barker broke the deadlock through star Laura Archer.

Midfielder Shaydn Gardner, who again had a big influence on the match, doubled Mt Barker’s lead soon after and it was enough for her side to record a third win in seven games.

Lani Frusher was solid at the back for the winners, along with strong contributions from Gardner and Archer. Park felt the absence of Emma Thompson and Annie Judd but Sarah Hearle was superb and goalkeeper Erin Trotter made some telling saves.

On Saturday afternoon, reigning premiers North Albany were handed their first loss of the season after going down to Manypeaks 3-1 in the round 9 clash.

Meg Slattery scored twice to go with another impressive performance from Charlotte Edwards as Peaks won their third game of the season to sit in third on the ladder, a point adrift of Mt Barker.

In the only round 4 fixture played in the men’s A-grade competition, Redbacks and Mt Barker drew 2-2.

The match between Peaks and Park was postponed because of bushfires in the Great Southern.