A cold and windy afternoon at Riverton but firm underfoot for the first match for both teams after a two week break. Balak came out hard right from the start putting pressure on the Donnybrook defence. Chad, Waldy, John, Grant and Josef succeeded in preventing scores from two short corners but then the breakthrough came. Donny’s attackers Lawrie, Ben F, Harv and Paul tried to equalise but a tight Balak defence prevented a score. Balak continued to apply pressure in attack and scored their second goal. They continued to attack hard up to the half time whistle.

The second half saw Donny’s start off with a stronger attack and some good runs by Lawrie, Sam, Rob and Ben W close to breaking through but the Balak defence held. Balak again applied the pressure and were successful in winning three short corners on the trot and scoring one. Donny’s attack continued to try to build a successful attacking run but were unable to penetrate a sound Balak wall. Balak pushed hard again and scored their fourth goal to take a convincing lead. Towards the end of the half the two week lay off began to show with players on both sides having to dig deep. A hard fought game with Donny’s outclassed on the day by a tighter Balak team. The only consolation for Donnys was that is was a good prep game for the showdown against Springstown next week at Burra.

Association Results

CLARE & DISTRICT HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Results, of matches played at Riverton in very windy conditions, the juniors had another week off for the holidays so it was only the seniors who played.

Women: Balaklava 1 d Sevenhill 0. Goal: Balaklava – F Tiller. Best: Balaklava – M Heslop, L Harwood, R Tiller. Sevenhill – A Paulett, B Stockman, K Hinze.

Springstown 1 d Donnybrook 0. Goal: Springstown – J Price. Best: Springstown – Amber Clarke, J Price, Sarah Forrest. Donnybrook – E Page, J Wetherall, S Stoddart.

MEN. Riverton 5 d Burra 0. Goals: Riverton – K Tiller 3, T Chapman, J Nourse. Best: Riverton – K Tiller, T Chapman, D Bowden. Burra – J Alcock, D Smith, J Robinson.

Balaklava 4 d Donnybrook 0. Goals: Balaklava – R Battistessa, T Stewart, L Cunningham. Donnybrook: M Harvey, J Roberts, J Squires.