Werribee reaped the rewards of coach Les McAlinden’s youth policy in a 2-1 win over PEGS in the Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League 2 at PEGS Sports Fields on Saturday.
McAlinden has taken some heat in recent years from some who believed he promoted the juniors too early, but he felt a sense of vindication when two of his young guns produced stand-out performances in the comeback win over PEGS.
“People said ‘you’re playing the juniors, you are playing them too young’, but it can only take one little thing [for them to announce their arrival in senior hockey],” he said.
Trailing by a goal, Werribee needed to find an edge to launch their comeback.
Enter youngsters Claudia Beamish and Emma Tivendale, who laid the platform for a fighting return.
Beamish in particular was outstanding when the chips were down for the Tigers.
“She was the one that put her body on the line and got the ball moving,” McAlinden said.
“She sparked it when everyone was going through their motions.”
Werribee found an equalising goal through Holly Stewart and victory was secured when recruit Sue Jones came off the bench to score the decisive goal.
“Sue came across from Adelaide and she’s been a handy player to get,” McAlinden said.
Werribee has conceded just a goal a game over two weeks to sit on top of the ladder.
The Tigers have one of the steadiest goalkeepers in the competition in Rachel Catania, who is no doubt helping their cause.
“She’s a very good player,” McAlinden said.
“She’s been the backbone of our team for a few years.”
Werribee will go into its round three battle with Melton away on Saturday as hot favourites.
It will be top-versus-bottom with a winless Melton already holding a 17-goal difference.
In men’s Vic League 2, Werribee notched its first win of the season, downing Knox 3-2 at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday.
Ryan Busst scored a double for the Tigers, while Thomas Camilleri also found the back of the net.
