Hockey
15 May, 2026
Hoops hold out for tight win
The even start to the Wimmera hockey season continued into round three on the weekend, with both Open games decided by one-goal margins, two teams still undefeated at the top of the Women’s ladder, and the top four teams in the Under 16 competition are equal on points and only separated by two goals between first and fourth.
Both Open matches were very skilful displays of hockey that were in the balance right until the last whistle.
The Warrack Hoops remain undefeated (albeit with a draw, a bye, and a win) after scoring a narrow win over the Horsham Hurricanes.
The deciding score came off Ben Williamson’s stick late in the third quarter, but for the rest of the game, the teams could not be separated, with some great attacking and spirited defence at both ends of the field.
The Yanac Tigers continued their undefeated streak with their third win of the season, this time by one goal over the Kaniva Cobras.
Brad Alexander opened the scoring with a goal midway through the first quarter, and Sean Pedie added another a minute before halftime, setting the margin at two goals at the long break.
The difference could have been greater had it not been for some solid work by the Cobras’ defence, led by Clint Beattie.
The second half saw some very competitive hockey right across the pitch, but neither team could add to the scorecard until Kaniva clawed back one goal with three minutes of play remaining, but time ran out before they could break through again and even the scores.
In an ominous sign for the rest of the competition, the umpires found it difficult to pick out the best players for the Tigers as their entire playing list moulded together seamlessly as a team, with everyone contributing.
After much discussion, Brad and Todd Alexander were chosen. Beattie stood out for his work in defence for the Cobras, and Nathaniel put in a tireless effort in their midfield.
The Nhill Rangers held their place in the top four courtesy of the points they received for the bye.
After the first two rounds created a gap between the top three and lower three teams on the Women’s ladder, the pressure stepped up a notch this week, as teams within each group began to play each other.
The Dimboola Roos maintained their early-season momentum with their third victory, this time over the Nhill Thunderbirds.
They scored at least one goal in each quarter to finish with five goals, with Jennie Hauselberger the only multiple scorer with two, and she, along with Brooke McMaster, was named among the Roos’ best players.
Thunderbirds’ attacker Caitlyn Rowe continued her strong start to the season, controlling her team’s forward line, while Lanie Clark was strong in their defence.
The highest-stakes game of the round saw Yanac and Kaniva play to remain undefeated.
Yanac came out strongly with a field goal to Caitlyn Alexander just two minutes into the game, a margin that was maintained into the third period when a penalty stroke converted by Erin Alexander doubled the lead.
Around these successful scores, the rest of the game was a skilful display, with both teams creating fast breaks, which were held off by resolute defence.
This result has Yanac joining the Roos at the top of the ladder, and while it puts Kaniva one win behind the leaders, they showed the determination that they can mount a serious challenge.
In the game between the two teams that entered the round seeking their first win of 2026, the Horsham Jets moved into fourth place after outscoring the struggling Warracknabeal, but will have to perform well against some other opponents if they are to mount a serious challenge for a place in the finals.
Annabelle Heal, also named as the Jets’ best player, and James Mackereth both scored twice to register the bulk of their six goals, and Ellie Williamson and Meika Peters stood out for Warrack.
Warrack and Nhill are the teams outside the top four at this point in the season, and they will play each other in a pivotal game in the next round.
The Under-16 competition has started very evenly, with four teams on the same points after each has won two of their first three games, and the other two teams are also showing potential to be competitive.
The closest matchup in this division saw the young Kaniva Raiders not only register their first win of the season, but it was over last year’s grand finalist, the Yanac Warriors, suggesting that when playing at their best, they are not too far behind the leaders.
The decisive play on Saturday morning came midway through the first quarter, when the Raiders took the lead after a field goal at the eight-minute mark, and despite some energetic play over the next three and a half quarters, the Warriors were unable to reply.
In their match against the Horsham Bombers, the Warrack Revengers finished with four goals, two ahead of their opponent, which has them amongst the leaders.
Although the Bombers have yet to register a win, they have made their opponents work hard for theirs and remain well in the mix.
Despite a loss to the Nhill Leopards in the Friday evening match, the Dimboola Kangaroos finished the round on top of the ladder, with the narrowest advantage in goal difference ahead of the Warriors, Revengers, and Leopards.
Next week, there are no games scheduled locally, as the Wimmera Hockey Association sends representative teams to Melbourne to compete in the Junior Country Championships in the Under-18 Girls, Under-14 Boys, and Under-14 Girls divisions.