Round 5:- Minor Competition

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Saturday

Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
4.20 p.m. Alstonville v Mullumbimby
5.45 p.m. Ballina v Coraki
Bye Northern Star

Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
1:00 p.m. Casuarina v United
2.25 p.m. Kingscliff v Labrador
3:50 p.m. Redbacks v East Lismore

Sunday
Hunt Park, Labrador
11.30 a.m. Burleigh v Capri
2:30 p.m. Waratahs v Mudgeeraba

Sprint for Finals Positions

Round five men's J.H.Williams Premier Hockey League action signals the start of the finals sprint. Eight teams out of the two pools still hold chances. Of the groups pool one is by far the strongest with the toughest competition.

In Pool1 Burleigh, Coraki and Waratahs continue to hold the strongest claims. Waratahs for instance still have a game in hand which will be played the weekend before the finals.

On the other hand in Pool 2 Northern Star appear to have done enough to guarantee one position. But competition for the other spot is very tight. Mullumbimby are in a handy position but can't afford any slip-ups with East Lismore and even Alstonville still holding slim chances.

Steve Law and his Alstonville charges will be out to spoil the party for Mullumbimby in this afternoons (Saturday) action at 4.20pm on Hepburn Park. With the home game and a win last weekend the Redsoilers are confident. And if Troy Cooper can repeat his brilliant finishing in front of goals anything is possible.

Neil Chaseling's Mullum side on the other hand have only lost one tight tussle to Northern Star. But coming off a bye as well as the road trip may well be the hardest barrier they have to overcome. But if Mullum are true to form the match will be a corker and played at a frantic pace.

The other Hepburn Park game is a local derby between Coraki and Ballina at 5.45pm. Coraki has truly gritted out an exemplary season are still to lose a game. Goalkeeper Peter Ryan not only does the hard yards on the field, but his tireless work off the field is starting to pay dividends. The recent addition of Matt Moss and Mitchell Dunstan will have the Coraki boys in a tough frame of mind and ready for action.

Ballina look to have finally turned the corner with a couple of quality performances. The return of Jake Baldry has given them the extra lift and confidence to chance their hands. Mitchell Harley, Dan Riley and Sam Davis are now even more dangerous with this new found depth. Coraki will have to be careful not to go to sleep on this one.

On the road at Murwillumbah Redbacks host East Lismore at 3.50pm. Raymond Rodda will be looking to push East's to repeat last weeks win. But a slow start against the ten man Labrador must be ringing alarm bells for coach Chris Clark as they search for some consistency.

Redbacks continue to show enormous potential with Jake Farrell and Dylan Wotherspoon leading an enthusiastic bunch of hockey players. But the overall quality of the competition is making them work for every inch of development.

Of the other matches the Capri v Burleigh match (Labrador 11.30am Sunday) will have some critical bearing on the competition. So far Capri holds the high ground. But Burleigh have really made the most of the chances in the JHWPHL.

Also the Waratahs v Mudgeeraba match (Sunday 2.30pm) is one to watch. Mudgee have toiled hard for little return. And with this home game anything is possible. But Tim Willis' Waratahs are not likely to take their eyes off the prize this close to the finals.

Northern Star have the bye.

Pointscore

Pool 1: Burleigh 10 (+6), Coraki 10(+4), Waratahs 9(+6)*, Capri 6(+7)*,
Mudgeeraba 3(-2), Casuarina 3(-7), Ballina 3(-5), United 0(-9) (*Match in
hand).

Pool 2: Northern Star 12 (+12), Mullumbimby 6(+5)#, East Lismore 6(-2),
Alstonville 4(-4), Kingscliff 3(-2)#, Labrador 3(-2)#, Redbacks 1(-7)#. (#
Bye

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WOMEN - Round 5:-Minor Competition

Saturday

Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
1:30 p.m. Ballina v Northern Star

Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
5.15 p.m. Casuarina v Alstonville
6.40 p.m. Kingscliff v East Lismore

Sunday

Hunt Park, Labrador
4.00 p.m. Mudgeeraba v Waratahs
5.30 p.m. United v Griffith
Bye Glee
Bye Mullumbimby
Bye Labrador

Chances and Points for the Taking

In women's J. H. Williams Premier hockey league round five action the impact of the complex series of byes is starting to subside revealing a clear picture of the competition leaders.

In pool one Waratahs will look to seal their chances with an on the road tussle with Mudgeeraba while Mullumbimby and Glee take the bye. But no matter what these three sides will fight for the two available positions.

While in pool two Labrador reminded everyone last weekend of their depth and power with a crushing ten goal win over United. And while they have the bye this week, their position appears safe. Casuarina put in a timely reminder that they are contenders, so it is likely that Ballina, Northern Star, United and Alstonville have virtually no chances.

Amanda Moss and Sally Baldry will be keen to re-ignite Ballina's run in this week's meeting with Northern Star at 1.30pm. The recent injury to defender Alison Porter is not as bad as first thought. But Porter will struggle to be fully fit for some time. And the loss of balance in Ballina's approach was obvious last weekend.

Star's awesome defensive record will no doubt add extra pressure to Ballina's chances. The defensive firm of McKenzie, Albertini and Seiffert is synonymous with few goals being registered. But to benefit from this strength Star have to convert whatever chances they can muster.

At Murwillumbah Casuarina will relish the opportunity for a home match against the Alstonville side at 5.15pm. Margie Coleman had her girls fired up last week in a sharp performance. And Hannah Rafferty and Kim Tuckwell played merry hell in the midfield to run Ballina a merry dance around the field.

But Alstonville's Nicky Woolner never lets her girls stray from the fight putting every effort to their performances. Kassie Baxter, Jenna and Sarah Lidbetter all thrive on these tough matches. So Casuarina will have to take their opportunites where they can.

Michael Rodda's East Lismore side this week travel to Murwillumbah to challenge Kingscliff at 6.40pm. With little to show for their recent performances, Easts are close to changing their fortunes. Kate Baird and Char McGrath look set for a big one this week.

But Kingscliff will no doubt like to remind everyone that they too have a little more in the tank that results suggest. Lorelle Morrissey and Sam Stanford are just two of the players itching to take this week's points.

Waratahs will be wary of the road trip and a point shy Mudgeeraba side in the match tomorrow (Sunday 4.00pm). Heather Gasmire's Mudgee have talent to burn in a side battling like many other teams to seize their share of the points. The outcome of this match may well seal Waratahs fate.

In the final match this round Griffith will need to extract every point from this game against United (Sunday 5.30pm). With an embarrassing result from their last Gold Coast effort United have their pride on the line. But Griffith coach Tracey O'Flanagan will have her girls drilled and ready for the battle.

Pointscore

Pool 1: Glee 7(+6)#, Mullumbimby 7(+5)#, Waratahs 6(+3)##, Kingscliff
3(-4)#, Mudgeeraba 0(-3)##, East Lismore 0(-4)#.

Pool 2: Labrador 8(+12), Casuarina 7(+9)#, Griffith 5(-1), Ballina 4(-4),
Northern Star 3(0)#, United 3(-11)#, Alstonville 1(-5). (# Bye)

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