WEEK 3:- Minor Competition

MEN
Burleigh 3 def Ballina 1
Northern Star 5 def Alstonville 2
Mullumbimby 6 def East Lismore 3
Waratahs 3 def United 1
Coraki 3 def Mudgeeraba 2
Capri 7 def Casuarina 1
Labrador 3 def Redbacks 2
Kingscliff Bye

Burleigh Cement Pool Position

J. H. Williams Premier Hockey League round three competition cemented the position of a number of teams. Presently Burleigh, Coraki and Northern Star lead their respective pools after solid weekend wins. And Waratahs are close behind with a match in hand against Capri. While United, Alstonville, Labrador and others have an enormous amount of work to do to have any chance.

Burleigh continued their impressive on the road performances this week crushing Ballina's slim hopes with a comprehensive 3-1 win at Goonellabah. Following the loss of several key players from 2007 Burleigh's no nonsense focused hockey is earning them many fans.

Of their players Ben Chiu, Tony Mahoney, Troy Nunan and Marian Wuntke give Burleigh and enviable midfield with plenty of control and drive. And with good midfield possession goals came at regular intervals with Matt Freeman (6 min FG), Mahoney (47 min PC) and Chiu (59 min FG) the scorers.

Ballina 'keeper Matt Campbell provided his side every opportunity to stay in the game with an awesome and athletic performance across the game. And without Campbell's exploits Ballina scoreline would have considerably worse.

In the midfield captain Brett Crawford created plenty of opportunities for his team. However Ballina's abysmal ball security all too often allowed Burleigh possession from quick turn overs and prominent position behind the Ballina defence. Sam Davis made the most of limited chances to impress on the day and Mitchell Harley (26 min PC) picked up Ballina's only goal.

Northern Star claim points and "Adrian Crispo Memorial Shield"

Mark Harris made an indelible mark in his first appearance for Northern Star this season in a match that doubled as this years' "Adrian Crispo Memorial Shield".

Every year Northern Star and Alstonville meet to play for the shield to commemorate the life of outstanding youngster Adrian Crispo who tragically lost his life in a 2006 car accident. This year Northern Star claimed the match and shield in a comprehensive but entertaining 5-2 win.

Harris (18 min PC) not only scored one goal but also created and participated in many of Star's numerous chances to be the standout player. With Star already a strong team Harris added yet another dimension to their play. Chris McGuiness (29 min PC, 34 min PC) picked up two goals in a strong performance along with James Harmon (13 min PC) and Thomas Vantaggiato (30 min FG) the other goal scorers.

Alstonville 'keeper Todd Seymour did an excellent job under enormous pressure from the Star attack. And Seymour gained exemplary support defence from Daniel Lidbetter. With Star in such a commanding attacking position the redsoilers put in a fantastic performance.

Chris Woolner was Alstonville's best player giving his team every opportunity to stay competitive in the match. Joe Beohm (7 min FG) and Lachlan McKendrick (43 min FG) each scored quality goals to give Alstonville an outside chance of clawing back into the match. But the best that Alstonville could muster was to keep Star goalless in the second half.

On the road this week East Lismore added to their recent run of losses going down 6-3 to Mullumbimby in Murwillumbah. After a slow start where East's allowed six goals past their line, they found their way into the game to register three goals in the second half and none against.

Daniel Hughes scored a double and Steve De Boer the other goal. Raymond Rodda, 'keeper Luke Kelso and Anthony Moss were East's best. For Mullumbimby Simon Johnston (2), Baden East, Brendan Iwanuscha, Daniel Cook and Neil Chaseling scored their goals.

Waratahs Overpower United
Tim Willis continued to lead his team with confidence as they overpowered United 3-1 Saturday afternoon. Always in control Waratahs toyed with their opposition in a controlled and structured manner. While in goals Mitch Paron gave a quality performance to help set the tone for the match.

But as good as Waratahs played, United still played with spirit and commitment. With a talented team of players it is almost as if United have forgotten how to win the tight games. And this continues to cause them any amount of frustration. But as Kingscliff did last week, it is only a matter of time before they step up to make their mark.

Todd Savins was a standout for United in centre half while Shannon Johnston was a handful at left inner.

Mick Newell (2) and Tim Willis scored for Waratahs and Jamie Barrett scored for United

Coraki continued their winning ways overcoming travel and a confident Mudgeeraba side to score their last goal two minutes from time to win 3-2.

Ben Moss, Brady Battese and Adrian McGrath scored for Coraki in what was described as a tough, constant, close and tense end-to-end struggle. Steve Hammond and Reece Buckingham scored for Mudgee.

Labrador Score First Competition Points
Labrador rode their luck and a home game to overcome a feisty and committed Redbacks side 3-2. With the scores tied 2-2 with less than eight minutes left on the clock, Labrador potted the winning goal to score their first points in the 2008 JHWPHL. Unfortunately no cards were completed so scorers will remain anonymous.

Capri used their home ground advantage to smash Casuarina 7-1. With a loss in their previous start, Capri did all they could to erase the memory the best way they could in a devastating performance. And from the start Capri were all over Casuarina squeezing the very life out of the match.

Brad Mathers (2), Ben Irving (2), J Eckert (2) and B Maxton scored Capri's goals. Casuarina's goal scorer was not marked on the match card.

Pointscore
Pool 1: Burleigh 7 (+5), Coraki 7(+3), Waratahs 6(+5)*, Mudgeeraba 3(+1), Casuarina 3(-6), Ballina 3(-4), Capri 3(+4)*, United 0(-8) (*Match in hand).
Pool 2: Northern Star 9 (+6), Mullumbimby 6(+5), East Lismore 3(-3), Kingscliff 3(0), Labrador 3(-1), Redbacks 1(-1), Alstonville 1(-6).

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WOMEN - WEEK 3:-Minor Competition

Ballina 1 dr Labrador 1
Waratah's 3 def East Lismore 2
Casuarina 1 dr Griffith 1
Northern Star 0 dr Alstonville 0
Glee Won Mudgeeraba Forfeited
Kingscliff Bye
Mullumbimby Bye
United Bye

BALLINA RESTRAIN LABRADOR

In third round J. H. Williams Premier Hockey League women's action Ballina and Labrador fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw.

Labrador lost a number of their younger players with representative duties but still put a quality side on the paddock. Claire Jackson (56 min FG) not only controlled the match from the midfield but also scored Labrador's goal to help them claw their way back into the contest. Maree Oddy and Jaclyn Wilson were incessant with their attack on the Ballina goal, but found little joy on the day.

Ballina 'keeper Sarah Norton earned her accolades this week with an awesome performance to keep the Labrador attack at bay for most of the match. And Norton gained superb support from defender and captain Alison Porter whose defence and counter-attack has become a highlight of the teams performance .

However Porter's match ended on a downer after she was diagnosed with a fractured hand now requiring surgery. Amanda Moss and Emily Hunter again put in top performances to give drive to the seasiders performance. And midfielder Sally Baldry (16 min FG) put the icing on the performance with a great goal against Queensland Scorchers 'keeper Karina Curtis.

Nicky Woolner continues to standout for Alstonville as the redsoilers played out an entertaining though goalless 0-0 match against Northern Star.

Both teams showed much more life and vigour than recent times left little on the field as each tested the limits of the opposition. Alstonville's Kristy Hanley and Erica Pickford made every opportunity count forcing the stout and efficient Star defence to work ever so hard to maintain their line.

But Alstonville keeper Tamara Leonard was forced to work overtime on her game as Star pressed consistently in search of the elusive goal. And Kassie Baxter was another standout for the redsoilers saving more than the occasional goal shot from behind the keeper.

Star captain Tracey Makings led by example urging her team forward whilst creating many attacking opportunities. And Nikki Amber gave her captain great service and support out of the midfield frequently being called on to cover the counter-attacking moves of the opposition.

And just when Alstonville thought that they had overcome the Star midfield Leanne Albertini, Dannielle Seifert and 'keeper Erin McKenzie loomed in defence to close down the best that Alstonville could muster.

On the road East Lismore went oh so close in what Tweed Border correspondent and Waratahs women coach David Reading described as "one of the best games of women's hockey that he has seen for some time on the Tweed".

And it was only a slow start by the East's team that cost them a chance at the three points. Waratahs are riding some excellent form began the game in excellent fashion setting a frenetic tempo. But with the score at 1-1 at half time the game was there to be won.

Amy Paron controlled the midfield for Waratahs directing traffic and organising the attack. While Ebony Philip attacking creativity added plenty of headaches for East's defence.

While for East's livewire Kate Baird demanded plenty of opposition attention as she created havoc and Brooke Colby, Sophie Rodda and Anita Ghilardi anchored East's performance in the midfield. While in defence Karen Eakin was identified as Waratah's bogeyman everytime they pressed into attack.

Bobby Philip, Lucy Reading and Tara Rochester scored for Waratahs. While for East's Maxine Kelly highlighted one of her best games to score both goals.

Casuarina and Griffith played out a tight 1-1 draw. And while Casuarina had the better of the play Griffith pushed them all of the way to secure a point from their road match. Whilst not winning the game Griffith coach Tracey O'Flannagan was pleased with her teams' performance.

Katrina Springfield scored for Casuarina. And Griffith's goal scorer was Kelly Ince.

Glee won their game on forfeit from Mudgeeraba.

Pointscore
Pool 1: Mullumbimby 4(+2), Waratahs 6(+3), Glee 4(+3), Kingscliff 3(-2), Mudgeeraba 0(-4), East Lismore 0(-3),

Pool 2: Labrador 5(+2), Casuarina 4(+5), Ballina 4(0), Griffith 4(-1), United 3(-1), Northern Star 2(0), Alstonville 0(-5).

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Jim Challenor - BHMS (Ex Sci)