Thrilling Round 5 Sees Two Draws In Summer Twilight Competition

Round 5 of the Summer Twilight Competition delivered an edgeof-the-seat spectacle, with two matches ending in draws and the third a fierce contest right until the final whistle.

The headline clash of the round featured the top two teams on the ladder, the Hilltops Hornets and the Kookaburras. This was a gripping encounter, with standout performances from both sides.

Bryce Weedon and Janice Dunk showcased their exceptional ball control for the Kookaburras, expertly supported by Ella Ritchard in the midfield. On the defensive end, Fred Dimmick stood strong, making it difficult for the Hornets to break through.

However, persistence paid off as Zac Williams skillfully maneuvered through the Kookaburras’ defense, securing the opening goal and putting the Hornets ahead 1-0 at quarter-time.

The Kookaburras responded swiftly in the second quarter, with Jennifer McKay leveling the score at 1-1. The Hornets wasted no time regaining the lead, as Sarah Mullany found the backboard before halftime.

The third quarter saw intense midfield battles, with both teams driving the ball forward only to be denied by rock-solid defensive efforts. Edwina Murray and Sarah Wills proved formidable for the Hornets, making it difficult for the Kookaburras to break through. However, Bryce Weedon managed to find a gap, bringing the score to 2-2.

With the game on the line, both teams lifted their intensity in the final quarter. Lucy Dunk and Aiden added a goal each for the Kookaburras, but the Hornets answered back with two of their own, including a stunning strike from Michael Killick. As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 4-4—a fitting result for such a fiercely contested match.

The second game of the day was between the Wallabies and Dingoes. This match was just as entertaining as the first. The Wallabies used their strength in the middle, with Adam Gunderson and Monique Woodward guiding their team through relentless attacks on the Dingoes’ goal. Matilda Woodward put on an impressive display, executing strong tackles to turn over possession. Donna Burns also played a crucial role in defense, blocking multiple goal attempts from the Dingoes.

Despite these efforts, the Dingoes remained determined, and Janice Dunk finally broke through, securing an early lead. However, the Wallabies quickly responded, with Matilda Woodward finding the back of the board to level the score at 1-1 by half time.

The intense battle continued into the second half. The Wallabies came out strong, with Parker Betts slipping past the Dingoes’ defense to put his team ahead. However, a quick counterattack saw Brendan Sheppard skillfully maneuver around the Wallabies’ defense to equalise once more.

The final quarter reached another level of intensity. Aiden Gunderson pushed past multiple defenders to reclaim the lead for the Wallabies, followed by Parker Betts scoring his second goal of the match. The Dingoes, however, were far from finished. Lucy Dunk capitalised on a beautifully timed pass from a teammate to tap the ball into the goal. In a last-minute effort, Aiden trapped the ball before expertly pushing it past the defense to equalise just before the final whistle. This thrilling contest ended in another 4-4 draw.

The final game of the day was between the Wombats and the Hilltops Hornets. This was the Hilltops Hornets’ second game of the day, and the Wombats did not go easy on them. This was another fantastic game that featured stunning plays, tactical moves, and strong defensive efforts.

William Byrnes and Greg Bannister gave their all for the Wombats’ defense, as the Hornets maintained a constant attacking presence. Meanwhile, Cooper Saines, Chris Hosken, and Jennifer McKay worked tirelessly to move the ball forward for the Wombats, searching for Faith Freeman and Hayley Saines in scoring positions. However, the Hilltops Hornets countered their plays effectively and put on their own spectacular display of hockey.

Ned Mullany and Alexander Strachan used their speed to shut down plays, while Tom Wills and Sarah Mullany formed an offensive duo to be reckoned with. Despite the Wombats managing to score three goals through Greg Bannister, Jennifer McKay, and Hayley Saines, the Hilltops Hornets’ relentless attack secured them a dominant 7-3 victory.

The Hornets’ impressive goal tally came from multiple contributors, with Luke Cosgrove, Zac Williams, Michael Killick, Tom Wills, Sarah Wills, Edwina Murray, and Sarah Mullany all getting the ball across the line. This commanding performance capped off an action-packed Round 5.

• Topics:

• Hockey