WITH just three more rounds now remaining, the East Gippsland hockey competition is becoming much tighter as teams do battle for finals positions.
WURRUK hosted Sale at the Little Athletics ground in Sale for their round of matches. Sale were dominant in under 18's and women's but it was close for men's and under 13's.
In under 13's, with neither team able to claim a victory this year, it was the battle for the wooden spoon. Both teams lifted for the match and Sale won a tight tussle 1 - 0 after a goal in the first half to Daniel Lee.
Under 18's was a very one-sided affair with a full strength Sale defeating a seriously undermanned Wurruk side 28 - 0.
The Wurruk women continued to show great improvement but it was not enough to stop a solid performance by Sale Cygnets. The Cygnets took the match 10 - 0.
With Wurruk trying to stay in touch with the final four and Sale desperate to find some form the men's match was always going to be a hard game. Neither team was able to find the back of the net and a 0 - 0 score line was a fitting result for a high standard game.
THE two Maffra sides played each other in the women's match and Churchill and Maffra played each other in the men's at Maffra last weekend.
Maffra Red was able to continue their undefeated run with a solid 4 - 0 victory over the Black side. Goals were scored by Sharon Mogridge, Kahlia Hillbritch and Helen Kube.
Maffra proved that last week's result was not a fluke with another draw this week. In a tightly contested game, both sides were hard at the ball all day but neither side was able to hit the back net. A nil-all result was a fitting result for a good quality game.
SWAN Reach played host to Bairnsdale and Sale Swans (women's) for their matches.
In the Women's, Swan Reach were able to take an early lead and hold on to take a 2 - 0 victory over Sale Swans.
This has consolidated their place in the final four for the moment, giving them a 5 point buffer.
A great team effort by Swan Reach's under 13's saw them take a late lead and win 1-0.
Bairnsdale were too strong in under 15's and the top of the table team continued their undefeated run.
The final score was 10 - 2 to Bairnsdale.
A close match was fought out to the end by both sides in under 18's.
Bairnsdale won the close encounter 2 - 1.
Bairnsdale continued their dominant run this year in the men's competition with a solid 4 - 2 win.
In the second half of the match Bairnsdale were able to take the upper hand and dominated to win 4 - 2.
ORBOST were at home for Nagle last Saturday.
In under 13's, the two top of the table teams slugged it out in a good close game. Nagle won 1 - 0.
Under 15's was a solid victory to Nagle 3 - 0.
In under 18's, Nagle put up a dominant performance to win the match 10 - 0.
Women's was a surprise result. Third on the ladder Nagle were able to end Orbost's dominant undefeated run this year with a decisive 3 - 0 victory.
Orbost were dominant in the men's competition and sounded a warning to the other sides in the competition. Nagle were not strong enough to contain the strong Orbost forward line and went down 5 - 0.
ROUND 12 is promising to be a good round with close games likely in many grades.
Swan Reach is at home to Maffra, Bairnsdale is at home to Orbost and Wurruk is at home to Nagle. Churchill will play Sale and Maffra Black will play Sale Cygnets. Sale Swans will play Orbost.
In under 13's; Swan Reach and Maffra will be a close game as will Bairnsdale and Orbost. Nagle are likely to be too strong for Wurruk.
Under 15's Swan Reach and Maffra will be a tight tussle but Bairnsdale will be too strong for Orbost. In under 18's, Bairnsdale will be too strong for Orbost and Nagle should have no trouble with Wurruk.
Orbost will probably be too strong for Sale Swans. Maffra Black and Sale Cygnets is likely to be the closest game of the round.
Nagle should be too strong for Wurruk.
Sale will play Churchill and last year's premiers should be too strong for the newcomers.
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