By Lance Jenkinson
It was the costly loss that Werribee did not need nor deserve in the Hockey Victoria women’s Vic League 1.
The Tigers had a chance to stay in touch with the top four ahead of the Queen’s Birthday break, but suddenly find themselves way down in seventh and five points off fourth spot.
Tigers playing co-coach Samantha Winch admitted her frustration following a 4-3 defeat to Brunswick at President’s Park on Saturday.
“I thought we came together as a team and played some really impressive hockey, but just couldn’t get over the line,” Winch said.
“On the day, we were clearly the better team, we controlled most of it, but it just didn’t fall our way.
“It’s sheer disappointment to lose this one.
“It hurt even more than a normal loss because we knew we were the better side on the day.”
Werribee dictated the flow of the play for the most part.
The Tigers also threatened in front of goal with Winch, Taia Leenstra and Cath Munro all scoring.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, they had a hard time keeping Brunswick’s attackers in check.
The Wicks only had sporadic forays into their attacking zone, but they were lethal.
“They had limited opportunities as far as scoring, but when they had it there, they got the job done,” Winch said.
Chloe Pickersgill was Werribee’s best player on the day.
Pickersgill did a power of work in the full back role.
Leenstra was busy at centre half, working hard both with her defence and setting up play.
Winch reckons it is still hard to gauge where Werribee fits in the competition’s pecking order.
The team has been hampered with injuries in recent weeks and results have suffered.
What is for certain is the loss to Brunswick is a huge downer because they had set themselves to knock off the side one spot above them on the ladder.
“We sort of had Brunswick in our sights to get them so we could cement ourselves higher on the ladder,” Winch said.
“The feeling amongst the group is still real positive because we’re playing some impressive hockey.
“We’re hoping to finish off the first half of the season on a positive note with a win [against MHSOB on June 15].”
MORE HOCKEY NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/caroline-springs-hockey-stars-step-up/
