Strikers women seal finals spot

The South West Strikers women’s team sealed a spot in the Hockey WA Promotion One finals with a 7-1 victory over the Peel Rebels at the Bunbury Hockey Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After leading 1-0 at half-time, the Strikers found their form in the second half to score six goals in a powerful 35-minute performance.

The Strikers were missing several players and it affected them early as they failed to convert a number of opportunities in the first half.

Pia Kirk found the backboard in the first half with a drag flick to give the home side the lead.

Coach Lawrie Tyler brought a number of teenagers into the side and they starred after the break.

Charlotte Massey scored the home side’s second goal just three minutes into the second half, before Meg Read followed with the Strikers’ third just minutes later.

Georgina Dowd, Courtney Barton and Kirk then converted to give the home side a commanding 6-0 lead.

Captain Jenna Gmeiner followed this up with a beautiful goal late in the game, before Peel’s Monique Ramm gave the visitors a consolation goal just before the final siren.

In the men’s game, the Strikers were unable to claim a late season victory, losing by four goals to the Peel Rebels.

The Strikers were missing a number of players and it was telling in their 4-0 loss to the visitors.

The Strikers put up a fight in the first half and trailed by just one goal at the main break.

But Peel put in a commanding performance after half-time to slot three goals in a big win.

South West Hockey League powerful goalscorer Alby Lawrence performed well on debut for the Strikers, while Alistair Bolhurs, Angus Fyfe, Josh Marnham, Jack Tosana and Mike Sewell were all called into the team to help replace a number of stars who were missing from the game.

Ben Stam was excellent at full back for the Strikers, defending well all day under severe pressure from the Peel forwards.

This weekend the Strikers head to Busselton for the final round of the season.

The women will take on Whitfords on Sunday from midday, before the men are to follow against Whitfords at the Busselton Hockey Stadium.