By Tara Murray
Craigieburn Falcons’ first season in Hockey Victoria Vic League 3 has been a successful one with the side claiming the premiership on Saturday.
Having dominated in a lower grade last season, the Falcons expected to be tested this year in the higher grade.
They finished the regular season with just one loss and entered the finals as clear favourites.
They faced ECHO in the grand final on Saturday.
The Falcons were tested, but did enough to claim the title 4-3.
Falcons’ Sikander Sharma said it was awesome for the club.
“It was a really tough game,” he said.
“We dominated for three quarters. The first two quarters it was 80 per cent in our favour.
“Then the last quarter we totally dominated and they didn’t get any chances.
“The boys pressured really hard.“
Sharma said the addition of coach Hardeep Singh had made a big difference this year, helping the group prepare to play in Vic League.
“Our coach pushed the boys as a team and really prepared to compete in Vic League 3.
“He played at international level in India. The boys were really confident.”
The Vic League 3 side was one of five Falcons sides playing in grand finals on the weekend.
The metro B team beat Altona 2-1.
The pennant G side was totally outplayed by Essendon losing 4-2, while the women’s team suffered a shock 4-1 loss to Altona.
Their over-35 team was due to play on Monday night.
Sharma said they had already started thinking about next year.
He said Hockey Victoria had given them the green light to play in Vic League 2 next season.
“Hopefully we’ll get a few extra players.”
Meanwhile, the Falcons have three players selected in Victorian teams.
Hardeep Singh has been named in the over 35 team.
Tarwinder Kullar is the over 45 team and Harbariq Singh is in the under-13 Victorian team.
Sikander said they were proud of all three.
