UGSHA 2023: Warriors claim A-grade title double after men and women triumph in close day of grand final action

Warriors claimed a heart-stopping 4-3 win against All Blacks in the Upper Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade grand final on Saturday. All Blacks fought back from a 3-1 deficit at three-quarter-time but it was a late goal to Warriors’ Shawn McKay in extra time that sealed the stunning victory. In the first period, All Blacks had an early penalty corner but failed to convert before Warriors found the opener through Travis Cochrane. All Blacks’ Toby Nicholas slammed home a goal to even the score, however with 30 seconds left on the clock, superb link-up play saw Warriors’ Jack Pearce hit back with their second. Both teams had their chances but it was 2-1 to Warriors at half-time. In the third quarter another penalty corner goal to McKay extended the Warriors’ lead to 3-1 at three-quarter-time and things were looking uncertain for the All Blacks. There were more twists and turns late after Kieren Langridge scored form a penalty corner to reduce the lead with four minutes left to play and in a frantic last minute Blake Page found the back of the net to draw the game level on the final siren. With the game sent to golden goal extra time, Warriors jumped out of the blocks to get an early penalty corner and it was that man again, McKay, who found the winner from a penalty corner to secure the premiership. Nicholas Corner was awarded the Most Valuable Player award in the grand final. Warriors’ captain Matt Hough was ecstatic after the game. “It’s always a tight game against those guys, they just never stop, they keep running,” Hough said. “They’re fast and they never give it up, it’s never over until it’s over. “I’ve never been in a game like it, there was one second on the clock and they scored.” Hough said after two yellow cards to Warriors players late, he was thrilled to witness Warriors coach McKay bob up with the winner. “Not even a minute (elapsed), we were two players down on the naughty chair and then our coach comes out, runs the field and gets us there.” In the women’s A-grade, Warriors coasted past Wagin in an entertaining grand final. Warriors Nikki Fleay scored first before Amy Oats doubled that advantage just before half-time. The third quarter saw Warriors Nikki Evan extend the lead through another terrific team goal. Both teams had several scoring chances but without any luck and Wagin went all out attack, removing their goalkeeper to gain an extra field player. This did not change the final outcome as Warriors defeated Wagin 3-0 to win the premiership. Chloe Buzza was named best afield in the grand final. Williams claimed a 3-1 win over Warriors in the men’s B-grade grand final with Daniel Major, Patrick Harrison and Michael Cowcher hitting the scoresheet. Major scored for Williams through a penalty corner before Harrison doubled the advantage in the second period from a field goal to extend the lead to 2-0 at half-time. The third quarter saw Williams net their third goal through Cowcher from a penalty corner. Marcel Corasaniti got one back for Warriors and despite several penalty corners, the Williams defence held firm and Major was awarded the most valuable player. A late Tracey Price goal handed Williams a hard-fought 3-2 over Wickepin in the women’s B-grade competition. Wickepin found the opener through Trish Armstrong to lead at quarter-time but in the second half Williams got the early equaliser through Kristy Medlen to even the game. Williams’ Charlise Medlen got the lead, before late in the third quarter Wickepin equalised through Trish Armstrong heading into the last quarter. After plenty of chances each way, Price’s goal would be the difference in a rip-roaring affair. Williams’ Renae Branby was named best afield. On Thursday the UGSHA held the Triple M middle and upper school grand finals. Woodanilling edged past Tigers with a 3-2 win in the middle school grand final. Woodanilling found the opener through Gabbie Martins in the first quarter before Fox Nankivell found the back of the net for Tigers with Darcy Kokich nailing a second for Tigers. The third quarter saw Woodanilling equalise through Dylan Kellow. The fourth quarter was all to play for with the score being level at 2-2. However it was a brilliant penalty corner conversion from Crawford Bolto that handed the premiership to Woodanilling just before the final siren. Joshua Martin was named best afield. Rangers cruised to a 2-0 win over Vultures in the upper school grand final. After an even first period, Rangers found an opener through Tomyas Wescombe from some terrific teamwork. Wescombe extended their lead in the third quarter and despite Vultures throwing everything at the Rangers defence, they held strong to deny Vultures. Rangers’ Lachlan Scott was awarded the MVP The UGSHA thanked the umpires and volunteers who went above and beyond to make the finals a great spectacle.