Manypeaks women bounce back

Manypeaks erased their heartbreaking defeat in last year’s women’s A-grade grand final to claim the 2013 Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade premiership on Saturday, September 21.

Peaks lost the 2012 grand final in extra time but were not about to let the same thing happen, netting two second-half goals to complete a 3-0 win against North Albany.

Renae Parsons was a clear standout in the match and was deservingly judged best on ground as her side won their third premiership in the past five seasons.

Parsons needed less than six minutes to have an impact on the scoreboard and eventually finished with a double to be the games most influential player.

Peaks coach David Stephenson was thrilled with the performance of his side in the 2013 decider.

“In the first half it was a bit of an arm wrestle,” he said.

“But I was happy with the second half, we came out and picked up the intensity, the girls were terrific and got that momentum and pressure we needed.”

“It was a good all-round performance and the girls certainly had to play their best hockey to win.”

Parsons opened the scoring from close range in the fifth minute but the Redbacks went on to enjoy the best of the chances in the first half.

The Redbacks won four short corners in the first 35 minutes but could not convert and were wasteful in their forward half to enter the break trailing 1-0.

Peaks earned consecutive short corners in the early stages of the second half.

Georgia Stephenson pounced on a loose ball from a saved Jodie Paine shot to double her side’s advantage.

The dominance of Peaks continued in the second half as Parsons and Kelly Pearce led the way for the winners, who earned seven short corners, before Parsons completed the 3-0 win in the last five minutes. Stephenson praised Parsons’ performance which was the catalyst for Peaks’ claiming the Alice Rule Shield.

“Renae is a class act, her work-rate is second to none and her skill level is one of the best in this competition,” he said.

“Kelly helped gain control with Renae, she was a major contributor as well.”

Redbacks coach Matt Heberle said his side was left to rue missed opportunities.

“We had a really good first half but we needed to convert our short corners,” he said.

“That has been the story for us all year, converting the opportunities.”

“They got on top of us in the second half and ran away with it but the girls never dropped their heads.”

Redbacks captain Beck Gallimore was a standout for her side while veteran Kelly Burlikowski was also influential.