PEGS job ‘not done yet’

Amanda Halbert reaches in to make a defensive tackle for PEGS. (Shawn Smits)

PEGS is on a roll in the Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League 2 finals.

Consecutive cut-throat wins have moved PEGS through to the grand final, where it will meet minor premiers Werribee in a blockbuster at the State Netball and Hockey Centre this weekend.

PEGS stormed to a 4-1 win over MHSOB in the semi-final, before Sunday’s impressive 2-0 win over second-ranked Monash University in the preliminary final at the SHNC.

PEGS coach Rob Carruthers said his team was “in the zone” in the upset win over Monash.

“Our last two weeks have been outstanding,” Carruthers said.

“To finish third and then to win the two weeks the way we have, it’s an outstanding effort.

“The belief is starting to grow.

“I think they were starting to think they can take it.

“If they bring their best, they’re a chance next week.”

PEGS went into the half-time break against Monash University with an upset on its mind.

While the score remained nil-all, PEGS appeared the most threatening of the two sides with the better of the opportunities in the first half.

Even when Monash pierced through the PEGS defence, it was met with a human shield in PEGS goalkeeper Fiona Adams.

Adams was just not going to be beaten on the day.

“She was really good today, made some absolutely magnificent saves,” Carruthers said.

“She really had a day out.

“They also missed a penalty stroke in the second half, put it wide, but she would’ve had it covered anyway.”

Once PEGS got its first goal, it was not going to be stopped.

Jacqui Davis broke the deadlock off a smartly worked short corner, before Georgina Jackel put the icing on the cake with a goal from her first touch after she was subbed on.

PEGS will go into the grand final as underdogs against a powerful Werribee side, but they are not fearful.

You get the sense that Carruthers and his players will relish a shot at the top ranked side.

“The job’s not done yet,” he said.

“Very happy with this afternoon [beating Monash], but there’s still another job to do.

“As I said to them, no one is going to give us anything, you have to take it.

“Enjoy it tonight, but there’s more hard work to do next weekend.”