Round 6:- Minor Competition

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Northern Star 5 Kingscliff 2
Mullumbimby 3 Redbacks 2
Coraki 4 Casuarina 2
Mudgeeraba 5 United 1
Capri 3 Ballina 0
Alstonville 4 Labrador 3
Waratahs 3 Burleigh 3
East Lismore Bye

Burleigh and Waratahs Split Points

Round six J. H. Williams Premier Hockey League action failed to clearly define the make up of the finals. In Pool one Coraki hold on to top position while Waratahs and Burleigh split the points in their match Sunday afternoon. But with two matches still to play Waratahs appear to have the odds on their side. But it is way to early to write off Burleigh.

In Pool two Northern Star appear set to seize one position. However Mullumbimby need to draw or win their match next week against Labrador to take the other position.

At Hepburn Park Northern Star made the most of their first half opportunities outclassing Kingscliff 5-2. While down 4-0 at halftime Kingscliff spirited second half performance allowed them to outscore Star 2-1 in an amazing second half turnaround.

Ashley Waring (13min FG, 19min FG), Mark Albertini (6min FG) and Thomas Vantaggiato (10min PC) all got into the first half goal scoring action while Mitch Carter (58min FG) chipped in one in the second. And key to Star's performance was the exceptional efforts of Brad Hassett and Chris McGuiness who overpowered the Kingscliff midfield with ease and consistency.

While in the second half Glen Miller and 'keeper Kelvin Jordyn's outstanding defensive efforts bolstered Kingscliff's performance. And this allowed Jordon Wilson and Tim Holt to make significant inroads into Star's twenty-five. Brad Julius' (43min FG, 45min PC) two goals in two minutes buoyed Kingscliff as they played with confidence and gusto.

And in the end only good defensive work by Star 'keeper Aaron Head and James Harmon limited the spirited Kingscliff performance maintaining Stars' lead and points.

At Murwillumbah a depleted Coraki team maintained their unbeaten run easing past Casuarina 4-2 in a well contested and entertaining match. With little separating the teams some Ben Moss magic proved to be the difference ensuring Coraki finished with a comfortable buffer after the game tightened at 2-2 late into the second half.

Still injured Adrian McGrath spent limited time on the field still gave Coraki's attack some structure and depth along with Mitchell Dunstan and Moss. While Michael Grande and 'keeper Peter Ryan's efforts made the difference in defence as Casuarina pressured their line.

Scott and Murray Fitzpatrick gave Casuarina every opportunity in midfield and defence. However they failed to contain Moss in the critical moments as the clock wound down.

Ben Moss (two), Brady Battese and Mick Grande scored for Coraki. Nigel Chapman and Cameron Spargo scored Casuarina's goals.

Ballina failed to match a motivated Capri side going down 3-0. But the score line flattered- the Seasiders with 'keeper Matt Campbell putting in a super-human effort to deny the Capri assault. Brett Crawford gave good support in defence and Dan Riley made the most of limited opportunities in the midfield.

While Grant Putland, Luke McCowan and Ben Irving scored the goals for Capri, they all put in fine performances for the match along with Brad Mathers.

Alstonville stepped their game up a notch on the road accounting for Labrador 4-3. Troy Cooper (two), Joe Beohm and Lachlan McKendrick scored for the Redsoilers after an excellent first half effort.

However after being on the backfoot for the first half Labrador came out firing in the second going within a whisker of at least a draw. Darren Fowler (two) and Chris Gilmore scored for Labrador team while Heath Ferguson was their best player.

Mullumbimby maintained their consistent performances this week outlasting a determined Redbacks outfit 3-2.

Baden East, Brendan Iwanuscha and Daniel Cook scored for Mullum. Best players for Mullum included Iwanuscha and Mitch Nowlan with their usual powerhouse performances.

While Redbacks are still to win their first game in the JHWPHL club sources remain very pleased with their overall efforts and development.

Mudgeeraba stepped out of their recent funk to this week steamroll United 5-1 in what turned out to be a one sided match.

Steve Hammond had an awesome game also slotted home two goals. Aaron Griggs (two) and Cory Tones scored the other goals for Mudgee. Blyth Philip scored United's goal and 'keeper Shaun Wedd was exceptional in goal saving his team from an embarrassing score line.

And in the game that has had more than a few teams on the edge of their seats in anticipation was the top of the table clash between Waratahs and Burleigh. In the end nothing separated the teams with a 3-3 draw the final outcome.

Early reports suggest the match was played with tremendous vigor with action spread from end-to-end for the complete seventy minutes. Tim Willis gave a commanding performance orchestrating his team with confidence all while setting an amazing example. Willis, James Walker and Michael Newell scored Waratahs goals.

While for Burleigh Harry Bisley, Travis Coates and Tony Mahoney scored their goals. 'Keeper Clint Colefax again gave a commanding performance in goals anchoring yet another quality match.

Pointscore
Pool 1: Coraki 16(+9), Burleigh 14 (+7), Waratahs 13(+8)*, Capri 9(+9)*, Casuarina 4(-7), Mudgeeraba 6(-2), Ballina 3(-9), United 1(-13) (*Match in hand).

Pool 2: Northern Star 15(+15)#, Mullumbimby 12(+9)#, East Lismore 9(+6)#, Labrador 6(+1)#, Alstonville 7(-6), Kingscliff 3(-9)#, Redbacks 1(-10)#. (#Denotes Bye)
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WOMEN - Round 6:-Minor Competition

Glee 4 Kingscliff 0
Griffith 2 Alstonville 0
East Lismore 4 Mudgeeraba 2
United 6 Northern Star 0
Waratahs 2 Mullumbimby 1
Labrador 3 Casuarina 1
Ballina Bye

Glee and Labrador Take Charge of Pools

Women's round six J. H. Williams Premier Hockey League action has left four teams in a prime position to take the semi-final positions.

Currently Glee and Waratahs with wins in their respective matches maintain the upper hand in pool one. But both teams meet at Murwillumbah next week. And a win to Waratahs in that game may still open the door for Mullumbimby. However the number-crunchers may have their work cut out.

While in pool two action Labrador and Casuarina appear to have the odds in their favour with the points and a favourable final round draw helping their chances. But United's recent purple patch of form has them waiting in the wings.

In Hepburn Park action Glee made the most of a dominant first half performance to comfortably account for Kingscliff 4-0.

From the outset Cassie Douglas' usual role on the left side allowed her to monster the Kingscliff defence turning them around with ease. And Douglas gained some superb support from Kim Chappel and Nicole Danvers as they turned Kingscliff's slim midfield control into their own regular opportunities.

Kingscliff's Lorelle Morrissey played a lone hand in attack using all of her experience to force the Glee defence to work harder than they have for a while. But Glee soon closed down many of her options upsetting the tenuous structure this young team is beginning to develop. And only good defence from Kingscliff's Nicole Clarke and Nicky Harrison allowed them to limit the damage.

Glee 'keeper Raechel Alback stood out in defence while Chappel (7min PS), Leah Wykes (20min FG), Douglas (31min FG) and Sharna Mathers (56min PC) scored the goals for Glee

In Sunday action East Lismore hit the ground running this week in a positive 4-2 win over Mudgeeraba at Hepburn Park. In one of their best performances in recent times East's confidently took the game to Mudgee at every opportunity.

Kate Baird's decisive structure and strong running along with the spritely Janelle Pitman caused all sorts of problems for the Mudgee defence allowing East's a commanding position.

Pitman (26min PC, 56min FG) not only gave East's a 1-0 halftime lead, scored another goal late in the game to extend their lead to 4-0. And Maxine Kelly (44 min FG, 45min FG) picked up yet another double with some classical touches around the goal.

Lisa Hughes (61min FG) was Mudgee's best player along with Sharna Mathers (65min PC) as each scored late goals as they pushed the East's defence at every opportunity. And Mudgee 'keeper Jane Gleeson and Mel Reid worked overtime to keep their team in the contest.

But an awesome second half defensive effort from East's keeper Sammy Jo Johnson, Karen Eakin and a rejuvenated Kim Hogan made sure East's were triumphant on the day.

In the last match at Goonellabah Alstonville put up a valiant defence but were outclassed 2-0 by a depleted Griffith team.

With Hannah Rafferty still on her honeymoon and Sam Stanford unavailable Griffith initially lacked some cohesion in the midfield. And this allowed Alstonville some room to move with Kristy Hanley and Marli Hope taking their opportunities.

But as the match wore on Ali McLean settled expertly into the distribution role feeding the likes of Steph Hagan and Sarah Payne some quality ball. Kelly Ince and Hagan joined forces with McLean with rest of the game going through a similar well worn path of raid after raid.

Griffith controlled the midfield for most of the match. However a combination of poor attacking options and some impressive defence from Alstonville 'keeper Tamara Leonard, Melissa Burt and Debbie Bruggy ensured the scoreline was limited.

Burt, Leonard and Hanley were Alstonville's best.

McLean stood head and shoulders above all the other players to be the game's and Griffith's best. Payne (22min FG) and Hagan (32 min FG) scored Griffith's goals.

United hosted Northern Star in Murwillumbah winning the match 6-0. With so many players unavailable with rep duties Star's reputation was left to the stoic and resilient players like Gloria McPherson to defend the club's pride. And while Star were forced to defend for 90% of the game they were pleased to have limited the damage to only six goals.

Leanne Albertini, Danielle Seiffert and Jess Vantaggiato were Star's best. While for United Carliha Brown was their best and Sam Wyborn, Melissa Johnson, Sarah Brisby, Brown, Bridie Eagan and Kellie Roatz scored their goals.

Waratahs won the local derby against Mullumbimby 2-1 to ensure the better table position.

The match was a cracker with action spread through the whole seventy minutes and from end to end. With both teams missing key players the contest still lost none of its intensity. And true to a Hollywood script the result went down to the wire with only a brilliant stick save by Carly Paron after the bell denying Mullum a chance at a draw.

Lydia Reading scored both of Waratahs goals to be their outstanding player. And close behind were Tara Rochester, Paron and Bobbie Jo Philip.

Kim Chappel scored Mullum's goal. While 'keeper Tracey O'Flanagan gave terrific service in defence along with Alicia Harvey and Megan Shepherd to be Mullum's best.

In the other top of the pool clash Labrador came away with the points accounting for Casuarina 3-1.

Both sides didn't have their full complement. But Casuarina missed Hannah Rafferty's midfield work even though the result appears to have done little to their position on the point's table.

The crafty Denette Doran (two) and Laura Shillito scored Labrador's goals. While for Casuarina Katrina Springfield was their lone goalscorer.

Pointscore
Pool 1: Glee 10(+10)##, Waratahs 9(+3)##, Mullumbimby 7(+4)##, East Lismore 6(-1)#, Mudgeeraba 3(-5)##, Kingscliff 3(-9)#.

Pool 2: Labrador 11(+14)#, Casuarina 10(+9)#, United 9(-4)#, Griffith 8(0), Ballina 7(-3)#,
Northern Star 3(-7)#, Alstonville 1(-9). (# Bye)

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Jim Challenor - BHMS (Ex Sci)

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