MEN Round 7:- Minor Competition
Saturday
Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
2.55 p.m. Ballina v Casuarina
5.45 p.m. Coraki v Waratahs
7.10 p.m. East Lismore v Northern Star

Bye Alstonville
Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
1:00 p.m. Redbacks v Kingscliff
2.25 p.m. United v Capri

Sunday
Hunt Park, Labrador
10.00 a.m. Mudgeeraba v Burleigh
11.30 a.m. Labrador v Mullumbimby

Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah - Outstanding match
11:00 a.m. Waratahs v Capri

Down to the Wire Opportunities

The final round, number seven, of this year's J.H.Williams Premier Hockey League for men and we are still in for some enthralling competition. Of the teams with semi final aspirations, only Northern Star appears safe. For all of the other teams results will go down to the wire.

In Pool One four teams retain chances. Currently Coraki lead the bunch followed by Burleigh, Waratahs and Capri. Spicing up the pot Coraki meet Waratahs today (Saturday) at 5.45pm on Hepburn Park . Then Waratahs and Capri meet on Sunday with both teams especially keen to cement their position. While Waratahs may be able get away with one win from their two games, Capri need both wins to figure in the finals.

And in Pool Two Mullumbimby require a draw at worst against Labrador at Labrador to complete the semi finals picture. While East Lismore need to overturn their frustrating big game form if they are to overcome the rampant Northern Star and hold on to the barest of opportunities.

Goal averages would need to come into play for East's to challenge for a position. But East's would have to outstrip their best performance and hope that Mullumbimby had an equally poor match against Labrador.

Almost as if scripted from the start of the competition the match of the round is Coraki and Waratahs. On paper noting separates the teams with neither losing a match. And the only points to be dropped by either team are against their common rivals Burleigh. So far Burleigh have drawn with both teams and today's match signifies one of the closest competitions for years. How ironic would it be for this match to be yet another draw and that is on the cards.

Coraki have been carrying a few injuries with Adrian McGrath, Matt Moss and Scott Gallagher all under a cloud. But the return of one of Coraki's, and potentially one of Australia's immortal players Warren Birmingham, Coraki's stocks have been bolstered.

While not a spring chicken Birmingham's exceptional control would certainly add to Coraki's ability to hold the midfield along with Trent Brown. And this would give Ben Moss so much more room to light up the field. And given his exploits of the last few weeks more freedom for Moss is a bad sign for any opposition.

Waratahs Tim Willis recent form has been sublime. And his extraordinary commitment and lead by example approach commands loyalty from his team. And with James Walker's maturity and midfield organisation adding a further dimension to Waratahs' structure they give little away.

However Waratahs' potent strike force and ultimate weapons are Dwayne and Michael Newell. The speed and control that the Newell boys display each week has every defence on high alert. And with regular Coraki keeper Peter Ryan away in Darwin for the Australian Veterans Championships fill in 'keeper Jordan Ryan will have his work cut out.

Brett Crawford's Ballina side will be looking to recover a little pride when they host Casuarina at 2.55pm. Carrying an injury will hamper Crawford and the loss of coach Tony 'Molly' Meldrum to the National Veteran championships and without Jake Baldry (Newcastle) will create plenty of pressure.

However with Casuarina having a similar availability problem and on the road, Ballina's home game may have come at an opportune time.

Of the other games Redbacks may well get their mojo back against Kingscliff after a disappointing JHWPHL competition.

Capri will be keen to ensure that United finish the competition without a win. With Capri keen to press for an outside chance at the finals they need to win this match. At home United will no doubt be a tougher proposition as Casuarina and Coraki recently found.

And then tomorrow (Sunday) at Labrador Burleigh will look to continue their barnstorming run against Mudgeeraba to cement their final's hopes.

Alstonville have the bye.

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

Pool 2: Northern Star 15(+15)#, Mullumbimby 12(+9)#, East Lismore 9(0^)#, Alstonville 7(-6), Labrador 6(+1)#, Kingscliff 3(-9)#, Redbacks 1(-10)#. (#Denotes Bye) (^ recount revealed an error in previous figure posted)

WOMEN - Round 7:-Minor Competition
Saturday
Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
4.20 p.m. Northern Star v Casuarina

Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
3.50 p.m. United v Ballina
5.15 p.m. Waratahs v Glee

Sunday
Hunt Park, Labrador
1.00 p.m. Mudgeeraba v Mullumbimby
2.30 p.m. Labrador v Alstonville

Bye East Lismore
Bye Griffith
Bye Kingscliff

Who Wants it Most? Teams Decide

In Women's J.H.Williams Premier hockey league final round action the match that has caught everyone's attention is the Waratahs v Glee 5.15pm match at Murwillumbah.

Both teams have shown that they can be beaten at various times throughout the season. And this only adds to the mystery and intrigue of the match. Waratahs at home you would expect to have the edge but it is not as simple as that.

The unavailability of Perrea Dunn puts a dent in Waratahs defence. And an injury to striker Lydia Reading adds another question mark on their current abilities. But the experience of Tara Rochester, 'keeper Carly Paron and striker Bobbie Jo Philip will no doubt maintain a solid footing for the team. And the development of youngsters like Stacey King and Cody Reading speaks to the depth of available player strength.

Glee on the other hand have problems of their own with this year's Glee team the most vulnerable in memory. Raechel Alback put in an excellent defensive effort against Kingscliff. But she has been troubled with a recurrent knee injury. And with Waratahs sure to apply the blow-torch, Glee's defence may be under more pressure than usual.

But on the positive side Cassie Douglas continues to champion Glee's chances. It is not unusual to see Douglas turn a game with her powerful and incisive runs. And while Kim Chappel has been playing more in the uncustomary midfield role, she remains an awesome attacker good enough to make the Queensland Country team. And fellow Queensland Country team member Nicole Danvers can rattle the cage of any defence with good service out of the midfield.

Northern Star host Casuarina at 4.20pm at Hepburn Park. With 'keeper Erin McKenzie, Callie Seymour, and Amanda West back from State Championship duty Star will be back to the usual defensive best. And with Casuarina on the lookout for goals, Star will make them work exceptionally hard for everything they get.

Even the opulent Labrador side only managed a 0-0 draw against the stingy Star defence. But with United so close Kim Tuckwell and Margie Coleman will have Casuarina focused on the hunt for goals. But with Hannah Rafferty (away playing at the National U21 Championships in Darwin and not her honeymoon as previously reported) and keeper Hope Miller (still on Honeymoon) out of the line-up, their job has been made all that much harder.

Interestingly the Ballina v United 3.50pm match at Murwillumbah could be a sleeper match if Casuarina or Labrador fail to fire. United are in a stronger position and their recent form has been hot with two wins on the trot. Carliha Brown and Sam Wyborn in particular are the ones to watch.

Ballina on the other hand have barely a statistical chance. And with Alison Porter getting stronger every week and Amanda Moss powering their midfield, this is going to be tight affair.

Labrador host Alstonville tomorrow (Sunday) should have little trouble accounting for the developing side. The loss of Nicky Woolner has taken away quite a bit of Alstonville's drive. But with the finals just around the corner Labrador are sure to look for a solid hit out.

Mudgeeraba get another chance to surprise the competition hosting Mullumbimby at the Labrador facility. With Waratahs one of Mudgee's most recent scalps, Mullum will have to be on the lookout. Last week a sharp East Lismore team at home lowered Mudgee's colours. And with Lisa Hughes available along with other first line team mates Mudgee will be hungry.

East Lismore, Griffith and Kingscliff have the bye.

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)

--

Jim Challenor - BHMS (Ex Sci)

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