By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey Cannons suffered two goal defeats in both their men’s and women’s firsts teams on the weekend
The men went down 4-2 to Melbourne Sikhs while the women were outclassed 3-1 by Mornington Peninsula.
Steve Noney’s men kept it tight in the first half, repelling the opposition’s ascendancy, led by ‘keeper Adam Wadley, before the dam wall bust just before halftime.
Casey went into the main break trailing 1-0 before a much stronger second half.
Gurpreet Singh got them off on the right foot, with a controlled pass that set up a Blake Edwards’ leveller.
The Cannons had more opportunities after halftime but the score remained 1-1 going into the final period, when the game opened up.
Melbourne Sikhs scored the first two before Casey got on a roll.
David Noney set up Cam Ritchie for a reverse tomahawk goal in the top left corner as the momentum shifted back towards the Cannons.
The goal for Ritchie capped a strong balanced game of defence and potent counterattack.
As Casey was coming, however, and searching for the leveller, a costly turnover saw Melbourne Sikhs go up the other end and ice it with three minutes remaining.
After an up-and-back game where both sides had chances, it was a disappointing result for the men, but the progress is on show given how close they got to the top side and measuring stick of the competition.
They’ll hope to showcase that and get both the process and positive result this weekend against North West Lightning.
The women, meanwhile, scored their only goal on the road via Mikaela Davis.
The loss is the second in the row and seems to signal the end of the fairytale honeymoon phase they had been enjoying in Vic League One after carrying over the momentum of last season.
Men’s
Results R5: Melbourne Sikhs 4 v Casey 2, North West Lightning 3 v Werribee 1, Old Xaverians 4 v Monash University 3, Yarra Valley 2 v Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 7, PEGS 2 v Brunswick 1.
Ladder: Melbourne Sikhs 12, PEGS 11, Brunswick 10, North West Lightning 10, Old Xaverians 10, Monash University 7, Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 4, Werribee 4, Yarra Valley 3, Casey 0.
Fixture R6: Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation v Melbourne Sikhs, Casey v North West Lightning, Brunswick v Old Xaverians, Werribee v PEGS, Monash University v Yarra Valley.
Women’s
Results R5: Mornington Peninsula 3 v Casey 1, West Vic 2 v Monash University 2, North West Lightning 2 v Werribee 3.
Ladder: Mornington Peninsula 12, Monash University 13, Casey 9, Yarra Valley 6, PEGS 6, Knox 6, Werribee 6, West Vic 4, Brunswick 3, North West Lightning 0.
Fixture R6: Casey v North West Lightning, Brunswick v West Vic, Werribee v PEGS, Knox v Mornington Peninsula, Monash University v Yarra Valley.
