Hockey
20 June, 2025
Midway point looms in hockey
As the Wimmera hockey season approaches its midway point with round seven in Warracknabeal this weekend, several teams are facing critical matches that could define their chances later in the season.
After some big moves on the open ladder last weekend, this week could see another reshuffle in the middle of the ladder.
The Hoops’ form has slipped a little, having played only twice in the last five weeks due to byes and weeks off for the junior and senior country championships, but on their home ground this week they have the chance to regroup.
They take on the Nhill Rangers who, despite being yet to win this season, have seriously challenged most opponents, so the Hoops will need to recover their best form if they are to return to the winners’ list.
The game of the round in this division will feature the undefeated Tigers, aiming to maintain their record, and the Horsham Hurricanes, fresh off a bye, seeking to prove they are a serious contender.
Earlier this season the Hurricanes challenged the Tigers for most of the game and only went down by one goal, but that was on the turf at Dimboola, while this week they meet on a grass pitch, which will change the dynamic of the encounter.
The Kaniva Cobras have the bye, and the two points they receive for this will keep them in touch with the leaders.
Women
The big game in the women’s competition will be between Kaniva and the Dimboola Roos when outright second place on the ladder will be on the line.
With a win, Dimboola will increase the gap between them and the third-placed Kaniva, while a loss would see Kaniva move into a tie for second place with only goal difference separating them.
Recent form suggests neither result would be an upset, but Kaniva might have the edge on the grass surface.
Even the clash of the teams outside the top four should be an entertaining encounter.
Both the Nhill Thunderbirds and Warracknabeal are beginning to fall off the pace set by to leading teams, and both could use a confidence-building victory to keep their chances of playing finals alive.
Nhill's win could see them return to the top four if the Jets fail in their assignment against Yanac, and while a win for Warracknabeal would not change their ladder position this week, it would be a stepping stone towards future success.
The Horsham Jets have been inconsistent this season and will find the competition-leading Yanac a big challenge, but even their best may not be enough to inflict Yanac’s first loss.
Under 16
In another round of top three versus bottom three in the Under 16 fixture, recent form and ladder
positions suggest clear-cut results, but on the pitch things could be different.
The Warrack Revengers have combined well so far this season but will find the second-placed Nhill Leopards a solid opponent, and the Dimboola Kangaroos, who moved up into third place last week with a win, should be too strong for the young Kaniva Raiders.
The sixth-placed Horsham Bombers might have to wait another week for their first win when they take on the competition-leading Yanac Warriors.
