Park win thriller

Spencer Park snapped a six-year women’s A-grade premiership drought by securing the 2012 Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s title in golden goal extra time on Saturday.

Park and Manypeaks could not be separated in the 70 minutes of normal time, sending the grand final into golden goal where both sides wrestled with the momentum for the first seven minutes.

However, in the final 30 seconds of the first period of extra time Park striker Kirby Williams became the hero with a magnificent strike into the left-hand corner of the net, sparking wild celebrations for her team.

Park coach Shane Congram was thrilled his side brought a winning attitude to the game and secured their first premiership since 2006 with the 3-2 win.

“Absolutely (thrilled), especially in golden goal,” Congram said.

“The girls played with much better determination today, they didn’t have that desire last time we played them but today they used that.”

After enjoying a week off, Park went to an early lead, courtesy of Rachael Goetze and her 11th minute strike before Annaliese Judd’s powerful strike levelled things three minutes later.

Mikayla Congram ensured Park went into half-time ahead making the most of captain Emma Benson’s strong work in the goal circle but Peaks were not done with yet, equalising 15 minutes into the second half on the back of another Judd thunderbolt.

“We got on the board early but they came back at us,” Congram said.

“But the girls fought back and we deserved to win.”

Teenager Rebecca Metcalfe was dominant on the wing for Peaks while midfielder Renae Parsons was awarded best-on-ground honours in a losing side.

Peaks player-coach Jodie Paine paid credit to Park for their performance in the decider.

“That is just the way it goes, it’s all or nothing,” she said. “We were chasing all day, we had our opportunities but couldn’t get it in.”

“I think you have got to lose one before you appreciate what it takes to win one. Hopefully, they will learn from this.”

Park trio Benson, Stacey Wallace and Elsa Piggott were outstanding for the winners with Wallace or Benson stiff not to win the best-on-ground medal.

cameron.newbold@albanyadvertiser.com