Mens Match Reports

YARRA VALLEY RECORDS STIRRING WIN!

By Kin Smith

Saturday saw the Yarra Valley Hockey Club state league men take on Melbourne Uni at home in a must win clash.

The game started well with Yarra dominating possession and setting the pace. Ben Hewitt sliced through the defense in the opening minute only to be agonisingly dispossessed as he tried to find a shot. Playing at a frenetic pace, the Yabs applied immense pressure to the Melbourne Uni midfield and backline, their superior fitness and aggression paying dividends.

The breakthrough came 10 minutes in. Beautifully worked team play ended with Nick Bridgeman receiving the ball in the circle on the left hand side. Showing great composure, he then found an easy pass which Dante Tait was able to smash home. Melbourne Uni equalised with a penalty stroke when goalkeeper Tom Cole was deemed to have infringed. Midfield maestro Jake Meaden was at his attacking best all day, producing the mesmorising stick skills and attacking runs that have become the trademark of his game.

Square at half time, Yarra came out firing going 2-1 up through a thunderous dragflick from Tait which rattled the bottom right of the backboard. After heated words had been spoken from the Uni goalkeeper earlier in the game, Dante was all too keen to let him hear about the second goal.

Though Yarra controlled possession, Uni again equalised through a field goal. Matt Lovel, Sam Cosgrave, Rob Johnston and Owen Pitt, despite playing with a broken big toe, controlled the defense and rebounded, pressuring the Uni midfield to force a turnover. Young star Brenton Watson making a diving stick save in front of goal to keep Yarra in the game.

Continuing to press hard, and playing with immense belief, giving up was never an option.

The winner came 4 minutes before full time, Ben Hewitt pouncing on a loose ball in the circle to grab the win for the ecstatic Yarra boys infront of a home crowd.