THE Wagin men’s hockey team travelled to Narrogin on Saturday to face Olympics needing a victory to remain in the top four and keep their finals hopes alive.
Things did not start well with Wagin missing four regular players for the game and being forced to play with the minimum of 12.
Once again, for consecutive weeks, the starting lineup had to be shuffled around to cover for missing players.
This seemed to have a negative effect on Wagin as they started the game extremely sluggish.
Olympics seemed more desperate for the win, as Wagin’s players ambled around the field generally not wanting to be involved and the skill level deteriorated as a result.
For the first 20 minutes Wagin could not do a thing right and seemed intent on handing the game away. Luckily Wagin’s goalie Joel Evans was switched on and countless times stopped Olympics players from scoring.
It took until the 20 minute mark for Wagin to snap out of the rut and start getting their game together. All of a sudden passes were finding a stick and the running game started.
Kim Hough got Wagin’s first goal on a short corner as a well-practised move came off and Wagin were away. The next goal followed soon after when Dwight Kellow again sent the ball into the D, with Kim Hough pulling off a great stop and Jayden Sims there on the post to slam the ball into the back of the net leaving Wagin two to nil up at half time.
Wagin could sense victory was within reach but Olympics had other ideas as they relentlessly attacked Wagin’s defence.
A goal was not to come as Brett Blanchett and Ben Kirk remained solid, continually repelling the ball.
Kevin Beard was having a day out continually finding space in the middle of the field and trying to set up the players around him.
Kevin Foale was running hard after taking a savage blow to his ankle in the first five minutes of the game and bravely fighting the game out.
Wagin soon got a third goal with Brenden Hall and Kim Hough again teaming up, this time seeing Kim net a great goal to make it a double.
Olympics got a late consolation goal but it was to little to late as Wagin held on for a great three to one win.
Robert Rex played a great game filling in for Tim Weaver at right inner, his ageless running proved to be the difference at times and Darren Spencer was great at left half.
It was good to see the Wagin forward line score some goals this week as Jayden Sims, Kim Hough and Brenden Hall all played a great game.
Goal scorers: Jayden Sims one, Kim Hough two. Umpires’ best players: Kevin Beard, Dwight Kellow and Brett Blanchett.
Next game is a home game against arch rivals Dumbleyung at 3.30pm on Saturday.
Every game is like a final from here on in, as Wagin is fighting for survival.
Training is at 6pm in Wagin at the oval, all players must attend as it is crunch time in the season.
Thanks to everyone who went tree-planting on Sunday. A great muddy time was had by all, especially Tori Kirk who ended up swiming.
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