THE Donnybrook Ladies Hockey team became A3 Premiers for the fourth time in 12 years when they defeated Bunbury team Associates on Friday night.
Played in perfect conditions in front of a big crowd of supporters at the Bunbury Hockey Stadium, the Donnybrook team played composed hockey for the full 110 minutes.
From the first whistle the pressure was intense from both sides. There wasn’t a lot of room for big passes and long runs.
Georgia Rutter and Kirsty Tylor on the wings, along with Donna Whitton at centre forward kept the pressure on the Associates defenders, whilst Lydia Torrisi and Felicity Graham played the inner position perfectly, supporting the attack, though covering their fast running opposition and limiting their influence on the game.
The half back line was lead by Tracey Tylor at centre half back, and she too kept the Associates centre forward under close check. Lisa Glover and Shae de Sales covered the left and right half back line solidly.
Sharna Denholm and Wendy Cain were the next line of defense and were fierce in their attack on the ball.
Donnybrook had the luxury of having three players on the bench, one for each line of attack. Mary Clarke added fresh legs to the forward line, Emily Graham used her great pace and skillful ball control on both the forward and half back line whilst Kym Stewart added strength to the full back line.
With the score line nil all at half time, the team didn’t want to contemplate entering a sudden death play off, so they knew the momentum had to be maintained.
Short, square passing, second efforts with chasing and tackling were imperative as was going wide to the wings to get the ball in to attack.
A high standard of umpiring was enjoyed by all players, with the advantage rule used by players to ensure a fast moving game.
Associates forced two short corners throughout the game and both were defended exceptionally well by the Donnybrook back line, not allowing any shots at goal.
Georga Hetherington stood firm and defended the goals solidly, making some great saves and strong kick outs when needed.
Mid way through the second half, after some intense scrambling for the ball in Donnybrook’s attacking circle, the forwards did get a stick to a ball that deflected off the Associates goal keeper’s pads.
It was Donna Whitton who got her name on the score card as Donnybrook’s solitary goal scorer.
All players contributed well to the win. Player marking was tight, which in the end was crucial to the final score line.
Associate players were not given the opportunity to carry the ball, like they had in previous encounters.
The younger players Georgia Rutter, Sharna Denholm, Shae de Sales and Emily Graham, who have all come into their own over the past six weeks, continued their domination and to their credit played with fierce determination and great poise, and not once showed signs of pressure.
They continued to attack, even when Donnybrook had scored their goal, and didn’t succumb to playing defensive hockey.
It was a real family affair-Tracey Tylor was joined by her daughter Shae on the field, as well as sisters Donna Whitton and Kirsty Tylor.
Felicity Graham and her daughter Emily made the second family combination.
The game was played in great spirit, with Associates very gracious in defeat.
Their consolation was Centre half back Amelia Harrington being named fairest and best in the Grand Final.
2003 saw the team win the premiership for the first time, followed again in 2005, then it was a wait till 2010, and the win this year shows just how competitive Donnybrook has been over the years.
Mary Clarke and Lisa Glover are the only two remaining players who have celebrated all four victories, after Donnybrook joined the Bunbury association in the late ‘90s.
The Donnybrook team now gets to enjoy the accolades of being the 2014 A3 Women premiers contemplating a new season, and the thought they may be able to do it two years in a row.
