IT was a weekend when Robertson wanted to cement its place in the semi-finals, Mittagong wanted to make up ground on the top four and Bowral had hoped to make it two wins in a row.
The three Highlands teams were all at home on the one day and hoping to continue their recent good form.
But instead of a happy homecoming it was a bloodbath as all three teams went down to their Illawarra counterparts.
It started with Robertson who lost 4-1 to league leaders Uni.
Robertson’s only goal was scored off a short corner by Nathan Wright and captain Damian Gair said it was an ordinary performance by his team.
“Very un-Robertson like,” he said after the match.
“It was disappointing and we were all pretty filthy with ourselves after the game.”
Robertson are still inside the top four but need to turn their performances around quickly after a couple of lacklustre games in a row.
Lions lose
MITTAGONG started slowly against Fairy Meadow to trial 2-0 and could never bridge.
They eventually lost 5-2.
Matt Stokes scored Mittagong’s two goals, both from short corners, but the Lions should’ve scored a few more according to coach Glen Isedale.
“It was disappointing because we should have come away with a draw had we have taken our chances,” Isedale said.
Mittagong have struggled to convert their chances all season and have thus won less games then they should have.
The coach said fullback Andrew Pinkerton and goalkeeper Tim Neven was among his team’s best.
The loss makes it hard for Mittagong to contest the Illawarra Men’s Hockey finals.
“We would probably have to win all our remaining [eight] games to get there,” Isedale said.
“But you never know.
“We are still playing well in patches, we just cannot put a whole game together.”
Bowral bucked
BOWRAL were beaten 8-4 in a high scoring match against Wests.
Bowral started poorly and conceded two early goals before gun Glenn Turner opened Bowral’s account.
Turner toyed with Wests defenders off a short corner as he feigned to shoot but instead took on the defence and the goalkeeper before working the ball into an empty goal.
Wests hit back almost instantly with two goals before Robbie Ginn scored Bowral’s second.
The visitors were awarded a penalty stroke on halftime, but young goalkeeper Owen Bunt maintained his composure and saved what was a feeble attempt.
The second half was much the same as the first with Bowral’s goals going to Turner and Tim Howe.
Bowral coach Jules Linolli said poor discipline cost his team.
“The game got away from us just before and just after halftime,” Linolli said.
“There was a card and a few cautions handed out, but it was generally a pretty good effort.”
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