Penguins And Redbacks Seal Their Spots In Winter Competition Finals

The Winter Competition semi-finals delivered an action-packed Sunday of hockey, with both games showcasing grit, skill and fierce determination. Every team left it all on the field, and spectators were treated to a thrilling afternoon of top-quality competition.

The day’s opening clash saw fourth-placed DTS take on the third-placed Penguins, with only one team advancing to the finals. The match began at a blistering pace, and fans had barely taken their seats when Andrew Austen broke through the Penguins’ defence to slam home an early goal for DTS.

The Penguins quickly regrouped. Midway through the first half, Matilda Woodward capitalised on a loose ball in the circle and calmly slotted it past the DTS goalkeeper to level the score 1–1.

The second quarter saw tireless midfield efforts from Charlie Beilefeld, Isabelle Douglas, and David Wark for DTS, but they faced a rock-solid Penguins backline led by Tim Roberts and Donna Burns. Goalkeeper Chris Hosken stood tall, while Jose Webber, Lucy Dunk, and Josh Dunk drove the Penguins’ attack. Their persistence paid off when a short corner was converted by Juninia Mahika, putting the Penguins ahead 2–1.

The contest remained intense in the third quarter, with opportunities at both ends. Once again, the Penguins made the most of their chances, with Tim Roberts converting another short corner to extend the lead to 3–1. DTS battled bravely in defence, with Fiona Douglas, Joanne Garlick, and Oscar Heffernan working hard to shut down further attacks. Neither team scored in the final quarter, leaving the Penguins victorious 3–1 and booking their place in the finals.

The second semi-final featured a heavyweight showdown between the minor premiers Vikings and the second-placed Redbacks, and after last week’s battle between the two, expectations for another fierce contest were high. The prize was clear: a direct ticket to the Grand Final.

The match didn’t disappoint. Tracy Lamb led the Vikings’ attack superbly, supported by Kerri Palmer, Paul Robertson, Levi Smith, and Faith Freeman, as they moved the ball effectively around the Redbacks’ defence. But the Redbacks were quick to counter, and Ned Mullany seized an early opportunity in the circle, slipping the ball past Adam Gunderson to open the scoring and give the Redbacks a 1–0 lead.

The second quarter turned into a defensive grind. For the Redbacks, Emily O’Brien, Edwina Murray, and Sarah Wills worked tirelessly to hold off the Vikings’ forwards, while the Vikings’ defensive trio of Will Byrnes, Andrew Pratt, and Tom Pickering were equally effective at their end. The quarter finished scoreless, and the defensive battle continued into the second half.

Despite several opportunities and short corners awarded to both sides in the third and fourth quarters, neither team could convert. The match ended 1–0, sending the Redbacks straight to the Grand Final, while the Vikings will live to fight another day in next week’s finals against the Penguins.

With two thrilling semi-finals now decided, all eyes turn to next week’s clash to see who will join the Redbacks in the Grand Final — and if the Penguins can continue their momentum against the Vikings.

IMAGE: Kerri Palmer takes on Luke Cosgrove (Vikings vs Redbacks).

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