Hockey news and events

Parkes were without defenders Amy Thornberry, Codie Wakefield and Jess Ross for the match which saw opportunities given to several up and coming juniors for the match. 

Parkes made an excellent start to the match in the seventh minute when Syann Allen broke away down the right flank to create a two on one with the goalkeeper. 

Allen drew the keeper to find Louise Hawken in good position for the tap in to give Parkes a 1-0 lead. 

Parkes had to work overtime in defence with fullback Sami Afele called upon to do a mountain of work. 

St Pat’s were able to level the score with nine minutes to go in the half when Kiralee Naylor converted a penalty corner with a strong drag flick. 

St Pat’s took a 2-1 lead when Kristy Ekert capitalised on a defensive error in the circle with a strong shot. 

Parkes levelled the scores a minute later when Bec Cowling pounced on a rebound in the circle. St Pat’s converted again through Ekert in the 48th minute to take a 3-2 lead and were able to defend this lead for the remainder of the match to claim victory. 

Best and Fairest points were awarded to Niamh Dixon, Sami Afele and Denise Gersbach with Sami Afele being voted as player’s player after a stand-out defensive performance. Coach, Aaron Huppatz, although impressed with the effort of his side, was disappointed with the number of turnovers throughout the match. 

“We just could not maintain possession. We continually turned the ball over and you just cannot give a side like St Pat’s that much ball,” he said.

“The effort was there for sure but we did not think when we had the ball. I thought Sami Afele was outstanding and I was impressed with Georgia Huppatz’s first game for us.” Parkes will host Orange Ex-Services on Saturday at 1.30pm.  

A Grade Women: Magpies defeated Rovers Cubs 6-0 in a match where the Magpies youth got the better of Cubs with Stacey Ross scoring a hat-trick and Jess Ross, Hannah Tanswell and Niamh Dixon all converting. 

Cubs worked hard in the middle of the field but were unable to score.

Best and Fairest: Magpies – Niamh Dixon, Wendy Rix. Cubs – Teegan Rogers, Haylee Wakefield. Rovers Black just edged out Middleton Coachman 3-2 in a close match. 

Rovers looked like they would run away with the match when they scored three quick goals through Georgia Kearney (2) and Cass Ward but Middleton fought back with goals to Sarah Hartin and Sami Afele after some excellent counter-attack. 

Best and Fairest: Rovers Black, Jacqui Simpson, Ash Ward, Cass Ward and Denise Gersbach. Middleton, Savannah Draper and Sarah Hartin.

B Grade Men: Rovers Gorillas defeated Middleton 3-2 in a close encounter. Rovers scored through Anthony Lock, Declan Daley and Hugh Daley with David Hogan and Gordan McIntosh scoring for Middleton. 

Anthony Lock was outstanding for Rovers with Brendon Roffe also playing well. Dave Sherritt and Matt Welsh were best for Middleton. Rovers Gold defeated Magpies Masters 3-0 in a solid performance. Jacob Chambers, Brenton Nightingale and Declan Daley were the goal-scorers in the match. Hugh Daley was voted best on ground and was well supported by Jacob Chambers. For Magpies Masters James Finn, Peter Yelland and Angus Arndell played strongly. 

B Grade Women: Magpies Black edged out Cellars 2-1 in a tight match. Louise Witherow and Lisa Clarke converted opportunities for Magpies with Annette Orr scoring for Cellars. 

Lori Ross was strong for Magpies with Natalie Kelly, Erika McNaughton and Sally McPherson playing well for Cellars. A 1-1 draw was played out between club-mates Middleton Eagles and Middleton Maroon. Sharnie Nagorcka scored for Eagles with Oliva Noakes converting for Maroon. 

Cherie Simpson was outstanding for Maroon with Louise O’Leary playing well. Best for Eagles were Michelle Hanson and Jo Besant. Marist had a very strong victory defeated Middleton Pink 7-0. 

Goals came through Kelley Westcott (3), Fran Dixon (2), Justine Morrissey and Anna Westcott. Justine Morrissey was the stand-out player in the match with Jordan Moody and Emma Manks also having fine matches. Chloe Drabsch never gave up for Pink. Rovers defeated Star Budgies 5-1 in an entertaining match. 

Goals for Rovers came through Tarni Parsons (2), M’Liss Ross, Rachel Hoy and Carla Peden. Emily Blackstock converted for Budgies. Sandra Tildsley, Christina Kruger and Rach Hoy were strong for Rovers with Natasha Schmalz and Kathryn Blackstock working hard for Budgies.

Forbes Veteran Golf Club conducted a very successful Week of Golf. On the lay day, most of the players travelled to Condobolin. The overall winner of 54 Holes Stableford in A Grade was Geoff McKenzie (Leeton) with local lad, Ken Sanderson (Forbes) runner-up. 

Trevor Topp (Richmond) won B Grade, followed by Colin Darley (Nowra). C Grade was a Forbes affair, won by Allen Rees with David Williams second. The 36 Holes A Grade Stableford was won by Forbes with Mark Collits, followed by Brian Collie. Jeff Haley (Forbes) won B Grade and Peter Mawhinney (Grenfell) runner-up. Forbes cleaned the field again in C Grade, the winner being Garry Pymont followed home by John Whatmore. The ladies overall winner in their 54 Holes Stableford was Shirley Mawhinney (Grenfell), second, Ethel Coombs (Forbes) and Yvonne Kelly (Peak Hill) third. In the 36 Holes event, Lyn Kennedy (Forbes) came home in front of Yvonne Kelly with Jeanette Shore (Albury) third. The NSW Golf Association Shield was won by Lyn Kennedy and Yvonne Kelly runner-up for the ladies. Trevor Topp won the points from Mark Collits in the men’s event.