IT was a beautiful day to be playing hockey with several hundred people barracking for both sides in all divisions.
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The first Wingham team contesting the finals on the day was our under 13's who took to the field against the Sharks.
Their nerves showed in the first half with some missed opportunities and a lapse in defence allowing the Sharks to score the first goal of the game.
The second half was better with the team finding their form.
Rhyan Hudson started the scoring with a goal scored after he ran the ball up the field.
With the scored locked at one all, the intensity of both teams increased however it was Wingham who broke the deadlock and a combined effort from Patrick Luckie, Clancy Johnston and Kara Allan allowed Kara to slip the ball past the goalie to give Wingham the win 2 - 1.
A tremendous effort from the team who under the guidance of coach Mick have continued to improve each game.
Wingham division two men met up against the Sharkeys team at 3.30pm with both teams rather nervous.
Wingham all played very well with great defence and attack from both sides that were very evenly matched.
Blake Hudson was able to score mid first half putting Wingham up 1-0.
The second half saw superb hockey being played with the Sharkeys team equalizing at 1-1 before the full time hooter.
Extra time was played several times as 1-1 was an undecided result.
After two lots of extra time Sharkeys scored a great goal putting them 2-1 up.
With only minutes left the extra time the junior ranks of the team put a nice short corner away with Jordyn equalising at 2-2.
More extra time and 120 minutes of hockey with the drop off rule applying saw only seven players on both sides on the field.
A stroke in the final minutes saw Sharkeys put it away for a 3-2 win.
It was a nail biting game with both teams playing an awesome game with great skill and endurance.
The team consisted of Blake Hudson, Mitch Saxby, Billy Bartlett, Jordyn Greenaway, Mick Stinson, Steve Murray, Brett Ryan, Timothy LeStrange, Pat Cortaville-Smith, Garry Muller, John Delaney and Rod Saxby, who also got the Man of the Match.
Goalie of Terry Murphy.
Reserves were Cooper Lewis, Kieran Lewis and Graham Poulton.
An awesome year of hockey for the men, with the proposal of a possible division one side next year.
A big thank you to Dave Mudie for his time.
The final Wingham team to take the field was the division one ladies.
With the Tigers being undefeated all year, our girls had their work cut out for them but they talked about their strategy and every player was taking to the field determined to make the Tigers work.
The game started with plenty of action with the ball travelling up and down the field.
Tigers tried to attack the Wingham goal however Paige Conley, Kate Nielsen and Mikayla Sheather in defence were up to the task and never gave them a chance.
With the first half scoreless, our forwards went into action and Emily Luckie took a shot that was fumbled by the goalie into the goal.
This put the Tigers back on the attack and despite some scrambling in the goal mouth the ball was slipped past Olivia Mudie in goal evening up the score.
With scores locked at one all at full time, two ten minute periods of extra time were played.
Mikaela Coleman, Maddie Hopkins, Jonty Hemmingway, Morgan Coleman and Abbi Greenaway picked away at the Tigers defence but were unable to get the ball through whilst Emilly Page and Leanne Yarnold stepped up to help with defence.
With the scores still locked at one all, the game went into two extra periods of five minutes with the golden goal rule applying (first team to score).
With cramps now affection some of the players everyone was still putting in 100 per cent effort and we were finally rewarded when Grace Coleman and Jaime Hemmingway combined to run the ball past the Tigers last defended and slip it past their goalie with seconds left on the clock.
An awesome game of hockey to watch and a well deserved win.
Thanks to Tegan Lynch who unfortunately due to the late start to the game and work commitments didn't get to play, to Maggie Sky our back up goalie who filled in on a regular basis during the season, to Shelby Johnston who was on the bench for Wingham, and to Craig Greenaway who coached the girls to their win.
Wingham last one the division one championship back in 1994 so it is great to have the trophy back in town and Leanne Yarnold has been fortunate enough to play in both of these grand finals.
The junior presentation will be held on Sunday September 21 at 10.30am at the Wingham Services Club and then afterwards in Central Park.
The senior presentation is on Friday October 24 from 6pm.
Cost is $30 for a two course dinner and music by Jericho Road.
Tickets can be purchased from Donna on 0421 773548.