Margaret River players shine in hockey finals

The Margaret River Hockey Club arrived in force to the junior grand final day proud and ready to play.

Both their Year 6-8 aged teams, boys and girls, were competing in the teal and yellow club colours for their respective 2023 premierships in the Busselton Hockey Association.

The boys team had won their grand final honours with a convincing win over Country’s in the qualifying final.

They were set to play Jets Cavaliers in the grand final.

The girls team had come from fourth position and a win in their first semi final spurned them on to a stunning 1-0 win in the preliminary final against Robins.

Grand final day at the Busselton Hockey Stadium offered perfect spring conditions.

The boys took to the pitch with vigour, making the opposition goalie work for his position (he was later named grand final MVP).

With speed and persistence the boys team was triumphant with a 1-0 win to be crowned 2023 BHA 6-8’s Premiers.

Next the young girls team battled a much larger Country’s team.

Margaret River managed to retain possession for majority of the match but the experience of the minor premiers got them the scores needed and they won.

Coach Helena Williams commented “throughout their finals campaign their team work set the girls up for success”.

Margaret River player Abby Ralston was named grand final MVP.

The bright bunch of girls were also named Rotary Cup Winners, which are voted on by the other Busselton teams as the group with great team spirit and good sportsmanship.

Other awards in the Busselton Hockey Association for Margaret River was Tom Gorta (9-12s Boys Best & Fairest), Rupert Ensor (6-8 Boys Best & Fairest), Tim Jones (Highest goal scorer in Masters competition) and the Masters team were Challenge Cup and Minor Premier winners in a stellar season.

With winter season ending, the hockey club will commence their summer hockey fixture, which offers an opportunity for anyone to have a go at hockey, without having to travel.

MRH President, Maxine Williams said “our inaugural summer hockey was a huge success with eight teams playing on one night”.

“We welcomed new players to the sport, parents played in teams with their children and senior players who grew up playing juniors in Margaret River were delighted to play competition on a turf in their home town.

“We had spectators and a bbq, it was a fun social gathering every week.

“It really was magic to have everyone watching good local hockey competition on the home turf.”

The Margaret River 2023 summer hockey season hits off Wednesday nights from November 1st.

For more details and to make contact with the club, visit www.margaretriverhockey.org.au