WELBY Heights Oval was abundant in streamers and banners on Saturday to celebrate the under 11’s junior hockey grand final.
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Both the under 11a and b sides played strong games that kept parents and grandparents cheering on the sideline.
The Mittagong Panthers took a 1-0 victory over Robertson in the under 11a division.
The only goal of the match was scored by Lilli.
Panthers coach Belinda Peterson said despite their nerves, the team played very well and had a great end to the season.
“They showed fantastic sportsmanship not just today, but all year round.”
Peterson said the whole team shone on the field and that every player was a standout.
Robertson coach Jamie Murray said his team played an outstanding game that demonstrated how much they had improved since the beginning of the season.
“We played a great game and had some really good tussles against Mittagong.”
Gib Gate scored an 8-1 victory over the Mittagong Leopards in the under 11B division.
Gib Gate coaches Michael McLaughlin and Rhys Chivers said the season resulted in the development of some outstanding players.
“Some of these kids had never held a hockey stick before, and now look at them. They really played above themselves today,” McLaughlin said.
Chivers said that the team played well beyond their skill level but credited Sienna, Tom and Anton as the game’s standout players.
Amelia jumped in as goalie for the team at half time and did a great job at holding the team’s lead.
McLaughlin said Gib Gate was nervous about the game, although they had beaten the Leopards 3-1 previously in the season.
Leopards coach Matt Markovina said the team had a tough game but put up a hard fight against Gib Gate.
“They had a really great run, I’m really proud of each and every one of their efforts,” he said.
“Well done my little Leopards. You had a really great year.”
Each of the team’s coaches said their players stick work had improved and they all showed very high levels of sportsmanship.
Well done my little Leopards. You had a really great year.
- Mittagong Leopards coach, Matt Markovina
One week remains until the Southern Highlands Hockey Association’s senior semi-finals get underway.
The men’s two top divisions and three top women’s grade semi-finals will be contested on September 2 and 3.
