Round 6:- Minor Competition
MEN
Saturday
Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
5.45 p.m. Northern Star v Kingscliff
Bye East Lismore

Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
1:00 p.m. Redbacks v Mullumbimby
2.25 p.m. Casuarina v Coraki


Sunday
Hunt Park, Labrador
11.30 a.m. Mudgeeraba v United
1:00 p.m. Capri v Ballina
2:30 p.m. Labrador v Alstonville
4:00 p.m. Burleigh v Waratahs

Make or Break Opportunities

If form is a guide, then round six Men's J.H.Williams Premier Hockey League will be action packed. Teams in Pool1 will be especially keen to cement their position with three still in the box seat.

Currently little separates Burleigh, Coraki and Waratahs. However Waratahs still have a game in hand against Capri with potential points up for grabs. Capri on the other hand appears to be out of the equation after their narrow loss to Burleigh last Sunday.

Thomas Vantaggiato's Northern Star appears to have wrapped up their position in pool two. And today's (Saturday) match against Kingscliff should be little more than a training run. While Kingscliff have won on the road, Star have been much too precise to allow a home match to get away.

But it is the competition for the second position in pool two that has plenty of interest. Currently Mullumbimby and East Lismore are on the same points. However an inconvenient bye has really placed pressure on Easts who will now have to hope for other results to help their cause.

Mullum on the other hand should account for Redbacks. Given their current barnstorming form goal scoring ace Brendan Iwanuscha will be keen to tag more goals to his tally. Redbacks on the other hand are sure to make it hard for Mullum to walk away from the contest unscathed with Luke McMahon in a purple patch of form.

With the loss of Chris Woolner to injury Alstonville will still put up a solid fight against Labrador on the road. Lachlan McKendrick and Steve Law have formed a special bond giving the Redsoilers plenty of bight.

But Labrador have shown a willingness to strengthen their side at home. Darren Fowler in particular has been a breath of fresh air to this young side with his set play conversions.

The game with special interest to the competition is the long awaited meeting of Tim Willis's Waratahs and the Burleigh side tomorrow (Sunday). Waratahs have the decisive edge when it comes to the attack. While James Walker in midfield and Mitch Parron in defence give little away. Burleigh on the other hand have carved out a awesome niche with their no-nonsense brand of hockey. Matt Freeman, Ben Chiu and Tony Mahoney are all in good form.

Ballina get the chance to dust off their shackles against Capri. With injuries a regular issue and the loss of Sam Davis (suspension) and Jake Baldry (moved to Newcastle) the Seasiders will be up against it. Capri on the other hand will be keen to take the home points. But the loss of 'keeper Peter Hollis will cause them plenty of concern.

Mudgeeraba and United meet in a match that both would like to take points in. With a meagre competition return so far neither side has hit their straps. Mudgee coach Paul Gasmire will no doubt have his team fired up.

East Lismore have the bye.

Pointscore
Pool 1: Burleigh 13 (+7), Coraki 13(+7), Waratahs 12(+8)*, Capri 6(+6)*, Casuarina 4(-5), Mudgeeraba 3(-6), Ballina 3(-6), United 1(-9) (*Match in hand).

Pool 2: Northern Star 12 (+12)#, Mullumbimby 9(+8)#, East Lismore 9(+6), Labrador 6(+2)#, Alstonville 4(-7), Kingscliff 3(-6)#, Redbacks 1(-9)#. (#Denotes Bye)

WOMEN - Round 6:-Minor Competition
Saturday
Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
4.20 p.m. Glee v Kingscliff
Bye Ballina

Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
3.50 p.m. United v Northern Star
5.15 p.m. Casuarina v Labrador
6.40 p.m. Waratah's v Mullumbimby

Sunday
Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
11.25 p.m. Alstonville v Griffith
2.15 p.m. East Lismore v Mudgeeraba

Labrador To Struggle on Road

In round six Women's J.H.Williams Premier hockey league action all teams in contention have completed their regulation byes. And to a man/woman all teams welcome the chance to get a clear and consistent run in the lead up to the finals.

Waratahs loss to Mudgeeraba last week is a testament to the need to be vigilant. And this loss has put the cat-among- the-pigeons with Glee and Mullumbimby the winners as a result.

Glee's Hepburn Park Goonellabah meeting with Kingscliff has the potential to make or break their tilt at the finals. With their match against Waratahs next week their only other matches left to be played this match takes extra significance.

Cassie Douglas and Kim Chappel will be looking to get an early roll going in attack with Nik Danvers. But their recent frailty in the midfield will be the one area that Kingscliff will be sure to target.

Like their men's team Kingscliff have plenty of potential with narrow losses consistent on their recent record. Lorrelle Morrissey and Sam Stanford especially are sure to press ever opportunity.

Without Nicky Woolner (shoulder) in the driving seat Alstonville may well be at sixes-and-sevens with their organisation. Jenna and cousin Sarah Lidbetter have shown plenty of consistent form and it may fall to them to take charge against Griffith in tomorrow's (Sunday) action.

But Griffith coach Tracey 'Trucka' O'Flanagan believes her team is on the hunt for every point left in the competition after their narrow loss to United. Sam Stanford and Hannah Rafferty will test their fitness with two matches in two days, but that is the price for consistency.

Evergreen striker Janelle Pitman will be keen to urge her team to back-to-back wins when they meet Mudgeeraba in tomorrow's (Sunday) action. With a solid win over Kingscliff last week Easts have shown they have the necessary ability. Maxine Kelly's recent goal scoring form along with Kate Baird and Brooke Colby's drive have the East's on a roll.

Mudgee on the other hand have to overcome the travel hoodoo. Lisa Hughes gave her team an extra leg at home last week. And while she is unlikely to come to Hepburn Park, the win will give them extra confidence.

Northern Star will test their mettle with an away match at Murwillumbah against United. Star captain Tracey Makings noted 'that her team had hit a good patch of form of late both at home and on the road'. While their inability to covert goals does cause them some issues, their outstanding defence is among the best in the competition.

Carliha Brown's United on the other hand showed clinical ability on the road last week accounting for Griffith. At home with Sam Wyborn, Kellie Roatz and teen sensation Sarah Brisby pumped up this is going to be a tight match.

Competition heavyweights Casuarina meet Labrador at Murwillumbah in a match that is sure to give everyone an insight into make up of the finals.

With Casuarina two points clear of Labrador, the home game is sure to give them a boost. Also the Saturday timeslot will do nothing to hurt Casuarina's chances with Labrador's Brisbane players unavailable. Kim Tuckwell, Margie Coleman, Hannah Rafferty and Louise Ferguson give Casuarina plenty of fire.

Labrador on the other hand will look to Laura Shillitoe, Claire Jackson and Belinda Morrison to structure their midfield to withstand the onslaught.

And in the other competition deciding match Waratahs and Mullumbimby meet at 6.40pm at home. In a match set to decide the fate of either team nothing will be left on the field in the search for points.

With Glee playing in Goonellabah the likelihood of Mullum strikers Kim Chappel and Nicole Danvers playing both matches will be tough. However Mullum still have their young goalscoring wizard Sam Iwanuscha keen to take every opportunity.

But beware the wounded Waratahs side. Taken to task by a souped up Mudgeeraba side has put quite a bit of pressure on the side. Bobby Jo Philip continues to pounce on any attacking chances with regularity. While Tara Rochester and Tiarny Wade give them plenty of balance.

Ballina have the bye.

Pointscore
Pool 1: Glee 7(+6)##, Mullumbimby 7(+5)##, Waratahs 6(+2)##, Mudgeeraba 3(-2)##, East Lismore 3(-3)#, Kingscliff 3(-5)#.

Pool 2: Casuarina 10(+11)#, Labrador 8(+12)#, Ballina 7(-3), Griffith 5(-2),
Northern Star 3(-1)#, United 6(-10)#, Alstonville 1(-7). (# Bye)

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