The high pressure situation of a grand final can result in many things but a gesture of genuine sportsmanship was one of the highlights during the Dubbo Hockey Association’s biggest day of the season.
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The Men’s A Grade decider between Wanderers and Diablos was one of the most highly-anticipated games leading into Saturday at Pioneer Park.
Wanderers went in as slight favourites, having won four of the six prior meetings this season but shortly before the game star player Matt Waters was forced to rush to hospital to be there for the birth of his second child.
Diablos agreed to delay the game to give Waters every chance of getting back for the grand final but he was unable to get back.
It seemed to matter little to Wanderers, who scored after just 11 seconds but in a tight and sometimes fiery contest Diablos, with strong support play, worked itself back into the match and went on to win 5-3.
That match was followed by the Women’s A Grade decider, which was won in a stunning upset by Waratahs.
This game appeared simple to tip as the talented and youthful EDH Cruisers had scored convincing wins over Waratahs, who had lost superstar goalkeeper Lilli-Rae Campbell to injury in the lead-in.
It appeared all against Waratahs but experience counts on grand final day and with the scores locked at 2-all late on in an entertaining encounter, seasoned Waratahs standouts Michelle Osborne found Best and Fairest winner Hollie Jones, who scored to seal the result.
In the Women’s B Grade, IHC was out to continue the year’s dominance over EDH Fusions in the decider but, in yet another upset, it was the unfancied rivals which got the job done.
Both teams had opportunities with both failing to convert, keeping the crowd entertained before EDH strung some amazing passes together and etched in front and then an unfortunate late own goal sealed the 2-0 result.
IHC did it the hard way in Women’s C Grade, downing minor premiers City in a shock result.
IHC had won its last six games just to sneak into the semi-finals and then, down on troops, edged past EDH via a penalty shootout in the semis.
On the grand stage the IHC side was again short on players, as it had been much of the year, making it somewhat of a David and Goliath type contest.
It was 0-all at the break but early in the second stanza some brilliant teamwork between strikers Allana Kirkman and young gun Lexi Pilcher saw IHC take the lead before Vanessa Brown struck late on to hand the underdogs the silverware.
It wasn’t all about the seniors, with two schools-based grand finals being played out.
In the Open Primary School match, the IHC Cockatiels beat City Blue 4-2.
It was an even match but IHC defenders Molly Brown, Marlee Holmes-Smith and goalkeeper Bailey Callaghan shone while Ted Murray and Xavier McMullen were strong up front.
Charlie Tink, Cooper Giddings and goalkeeper Sophie Glynn were City’s best.
The Brownbuild Construction High School competition grand final saw The Waves down The Grinches 2-0.
In its first year of competition, this nine-a-side concept has been greatly received.
The DHA stated it was encouraging to see the high school-aged children given a much-needed boast.
Five teams finished the regular season all square, proof of the closeness of the competition, and the grand final between The Waves and The Grinches was 0-all at half-time.
New goalkeeper Harrison Campbell showed amazing ability for The Waves and teammate Jack Erskine made all his saves worth it when he scored.
The Grinches didn’t give up but Sam Krutzman scored The Waves’ second goal from a brilliant pass in a show of outstanding team work to seal a grand final win.