REPLAYS: NSW U18 girls hockey titles grand final matches
The NSW U18 Girls Hockey Championships have been run and won. Find out who has been crowned champions.
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The state’s best teams have risen to the top across two action-packed days of representative hockey, with the top honours at stake today.
WATCH SUNDAY’S GRAND FINAL ACTION LIVE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
If you missed any of the action on the first two days of competition, find the day one replays here, and day two here.
Illawarra South Coast will take on North West Sydney in the Divison 1 grand final today.
The girls from Illawarra beat Goulburn 2-1, and North West Sydney beat Sydney South 3-1.
Grafton has broken the hearts of Far North Coast in a thrilling Division 2 grand final between regional rivals. Read about all the action below.
Metro South West has taken the crown as the NSW U18 Hockey Champions in Division 3. See the match report below.
Finals matches will be broadcast online here at dailytelegraph.com.au from about 8.10am Sunday, including the grand finals of all three divisions.
DAY THREE LIVESTREAM MATCHES
SUNDAY MAY 23
8.10am- Division 3 Metro South West 2 vs. Wagga Wagga
9.15am- Division 2 Central Coast vs. Far North Coast 1
10.20am- Division 1 Illawarra South Coast vs GDHA
11.25am- Division 3 grand final, Metro South West vs Illawarra South Coast 2
12.30 Division 2 grand final, Far North Coast vs Grafton
1.35pm- Division 1 grand final, Illawarra South Coast vs North West Sydney
REPLAYS AND REPORT
DIVISION 1 Grand Final: Illawarra South Coast vs North West Sydney
It was the culmination of our NSW U18s Girls Hockey Championships, with a fierce match against North West Sydney and Illawarra South Coast and it couldn’t have been a better game to watch.
The division one game began evenly, though Alana Kavanagh proved herself early to be the one to beat.
In the second quarter, Illawarra South Coast’s talented Holly Hurford tapped in a penalty corner goal, thanks to an effective trap from her teammates.
In the third quarter, North West Sydney upped their dominance and possession of the game. While Illawarra South Coast’s defense should be applauded, it was North West Sydney’s relentless attack that earned them a goal, courtesy of Katherine Kennedy.
It was all bets off as the girls entered a one all fourth quarter. With North West Sydney gaining themselves several penalty shots and a deceptive play by Madison Agnew, Illawarra South Coast’s strong goal defense forced them to a thrilling shoot out.
In an unbelievable shoot out, both teams scored two all until a third winning shoot for Nicola Farquaharson sealed North West Sydney’s victory.
At the end of the day, North West Sydney won 2-1.
Players of the championship were awarded to Alana Kavanagh and Georgia Smithers.
DIVISION 2 Grand Final: Grafton 1 vs Far North Coast 0
Region rivals Far North Coast and Grafton went head to head in a thrilling division two final, with Grafton narrowly winning in a dramatic 1-0 match.
The first quarter was an even start with Far North Coast just niching a penalty corner shot with Grafton defence fighting back strong against Maya McGrath’s shots.
As the second quarter began, Far North Coast became more than happy to press while Grafton’s defence was on full force. A few penalty corner shots by McGrath was solid as was Grafton’s counterattack, resulting in nil all by halftime.
The third quarter dealt a devastating blow to Far North Coast’s star player Elena Albertini, following a penalty corner shot by Grafton. Trying for the goal, Grafton’s Chloe Winters also made a bold shot but landed too wide.
Remarkably tough, Albertini headed back out for the last quarter. However, with a yellow card to Holly Matthews, Far North Coast stumbled, letting an impressive run by Grafton’s Hayley Fisher move the ball out of their side.
With three minutes to go, Grafton’s Chloe Winters sealed the victory.
DIVISION 3 Grand Final: Metro South West 1 Illawarra 0
A tense Divion 3 final saw Metro South West walk away as champions to Illawarra South Coast with a 1-0 win.
A patient start to the match saw a good circle penetration by Metro South West fail to alleviate pressure for the team. An Illawarra South Coast penalty shot also went a little too high to miss Metro South West’s strong defence.
Coming into the second quarter, Metro South West saw good control of the ball with a strong defence by Illawarra South Coast’s Georgia Mitchell slightly rattling them. However, a killer tomahawk shot by Piper Lewis secured Metro South West’s first goal on the board.
Charlie Buckman continues to be a star player for Illawarra South Coast with a few too many big shots just missing marks. A penalty corner by Metro South West was also narrowly missed in the third quarter with a nice save by Illawarra South Coast’s Elizbeth Davies.
In a heartbreaking fourth quarter for Illawarra South Coast, the stunning last-minute equalizer was disallowed due to it being too high for a first penalty shot. A return to their side was also too slow to seal a draw for the Illawarra girls today.
DIVISION 1 Semi-final: Illawarra South Coast 2 Goulburn 1
The strengths of Goulburn just couldn’t compare to Illawarra South Coast in this nail-biting division one match.
There was no time wasted in the beginning of the match with even play up and down the field. However, Goulburn took off with a cracking goal by Ella Smith who landed a tomahawk.
Not one to get left behind Illawarra South Coast made a sharp return in the second quarter, with a tapped in goal by Imogen Fowles. Unfortunately, an impressive strike by Chloe Barton across the goal just managed to miss her Illawarra South Coast teammates and the opposition.
There was no time to rest in the third quarter with play stretching both ends of the field. A penalty corner by Illawarra South Coast also saw an impressive steal by Goulburn’s Makayla Jones.
An early penalty corner could have been Goulburn’s chance to get back into the game but a last chance free hit by Illawarra South Coast saw Mackenzie Ford bounce a ball off the post and steal a goal with a winning 2-1.
DIVISION 2 Semi-final: Far North Coast 2 Central Coast
Homeground advantage was on full display in as Far North Coast presented a thrilling 2-1 game against Central Coast in the division two semi-finals.
A clinical high press and pressure on Far North Coast defenders saw Central Coast score the first goal, thanks to Mackenzie Needham.
In the second half, Far North Coast’s Holly Matthews drew a short corner but to no avail, missing her opportunity to get her team on top. A penalty corner by Eliza Wallace also failed to make the chance land, causing scores to stay stagnant by the half time break.
It was a welcome comeback for the hometown heroes in the third quarter with a penalty corner score, the result of impressive team work with Alana Albertini just hitting in the team’s first goal.
Far North Coast still needed another goal to enter the finals and a stellar run by Nella Bradford cemented it. Going on one with the Central Coast defender she raised the score to 2-1 with five minutes to go. As time ticked down, it was up to Far North Coast to defend their title which they did with ease. – Tessa Flemming
DIVISION 3 Semi-final: Metro South West 2 Wagga Wagga 0
Metro South West has stormed into the grand final of the Division 3 competition, with their 2-nil win against Wagga Wagga.
Wagga Wagga was strong in their defence during the first quarter, with an aggressive press against Metro South West towards the finish. While Metro South West had the majority of time in the shooting circle, they couldn’t manage to make magic happen.
While Wagga Wagga pushed the ball down Metro South West’s end at the start of the second quarter and stretched their defence, it was Metro South West’s game with captain Emilee O’Grady Shorten scoring a scrappy goal in the top corner.
Piper Lewis attempted to throw another goal for Metro South West but just couldn’t finish off.
Wagga Wagga turned the tables on Metro South West early in the third quarter but missing two shots, Metro South West swung the ball to their advantage with Charlotte Smith putting away a goal past the left boot of Wagga Wagga’s goalkeeper, making a 2-nil lead.
Wagga Wagga’s Hayley Beresford played for her life in the fourth quarter, but it couldn’t beat Metro South West with a missed penalty corner shot eight -seconds from the buzzer failing to dampen their spirits.
– Tessa Flemming
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