Manypeaks close gap on Spencer Park

Only five points separate the top three teams in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade competition after North Albany and Manypeaks scored victories in an entertaining round 7 on Saturday afternoon.

Redbacks kicked off the round facing Tigers for the third time this season and the result was similar to their round 1 encounter, which finished 5-1 in favour of the Redbacks.

Tigers scored a point in round 4 when they played out a scoreless draw with Redbacks but their opponents were far more clinical on Saturday as they netted five goals past the young and inexperienced Tigers.

Charlie Moir was influential across the two halves while Jeremy Ollington and Tim Burns both netted braces in the big win.

Robbie Marshall was the other goal scorer for Redbacks, who also had solid contributions from Alex Bott and Hennie Botha.

The result was Redbacks’ third win of the season, taking them to 10 points, but they still sit in third place on the ladder after what happened in the later fixture between the two top-of-the-table teams.

The in-form Spencer Park and Manypeaks met once again and little separated the two sides for the first 64 minutes of match.

They were locked together at 1-1 after James Gonzales opened Park’s account and Peaks star David Pyle scored with a penalty corner deflection in the first half as well.

Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock in the second half, especially early, but the defence at either end stood firm.

Park earned their first penalty corner of the second half with 11 minutes 40 seconds still to play but their best chance on goal was wasted.

Peaks were then forced to play a man down when Kieran Howie was yellowed carded with just over eight minutes remaining, but they held firm with defensive general Adam Scott leading the way.

The breakthrough finally came when David Pyle slotted home a lovely field goal with 5.43 on the clock to cap off solid build-up play from Riley Scott and Andre Van Rooyen.

Despite holding a 2-1 lead, Peaks continued to press for a third goal, and with the Park defence under siege, they were rewarded when Howie turned from villain to hero with a penalty corner conversion that gave his side a 3-1 victory.

Tim Pyle was lively throughout for Peaks, along with Brett Stevens, David Pyle and Riley Scott, as they beat Park for the first time this season.

Park were best served by Sam Brown, Jack Williamson and Haig Edgerton-Warburton.

Peaks’ win lifts them to 13 points, just two adrift of Park on top spot.