By Jonty Ralphsmith
It was a mixed weekend for the Casey Cannons against PEGS, with the women continuing their strong season but the men again faltering.
The women’s fixture saw the visitors dominate proceedings, winning 4-1 and having many more shots that sailed wide.
Played in Casey’s forward half for the majority of the day, Mikaela Davis and Tegen Hyland helped Casey win the midfield battle.
Davis is currently on top of her game and Hyland has also had a consistent season, important parts of Casey’s 9-2 record.
The team has been wreaked by absences despite their success, which has opened up opportunities for others to be primed and step up where needed.
Among those who have been important amid the absences are Jenna and Leandra McLauchlan, with Leandra’s drive from the back half in particular on the weekend helping keep the play in Casey’s forward area.
The progress the team has made this season is underlined by the difference in the two games against PEGS this season.
Whereas they were challenged by a team less skilled but with more cohesion in round two, winning 2-1, this time PEGS was unable to suppress the fluid ball movement.
Mikayla McDonald scored two field goals for Casey, while Michaela Bullock got one, and Jess Rowland hit the scoreboard via a penalty corner.
Meanwhile, for the men, goals to Gurpreet Singh and Josh Watson were not enough to get the win, the men going down 4-2.
Yarra Valley’s surprise tie with top-placed Melbourne Sikhs on the weekend has relegated Casey to bottom of the table.
Casey will have its work cut out bouncing back this week, coming up against second-placed Old Xaverians, which won 3-0 in the first meeting between the two teams.
Women
Results: Yarra Valley 3 v Mornington Peninsula 2, Monash University 4 v Werribee 0, PEGS 1 v Casey 4, Knox 5 v Brunswick 2.
Ladder: Mornington Peninsula 28, Casey 27, Yarra Valley 25, Monash University 23, Knox 15, WestVic 13, PEGS 10, Werribee 9, North West Lightning 6, Brunswick 3
Fixture: North West Lightning v Yarra Valley, Casey v WestVic, Knox v PEGS, Werribee v Mornington Peninsula, Monash University v Brunswick.
Men
Results: Old Xaverians 2 v North West Lightning 0, Brunswick 4 v Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 1, Monash University 5 v Werribee 0, PEGS 4 v Casey 2, Yarra Valley 2 v Melbourne Sikhs 2.
Ladder: Melbourne Sikhs 24, Old Xaverians 23, Brunswick 22, Monash University 22, PEGS 19, North West Lightning 19, Werribee 12 Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 8, Yarra Valley 4, Casey 3.
Fixture: Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation v PEGS, Monash University v Brunswick, North West Lightning v Yarra Valley, Casey v Old Xaverians, Werribee v Melbourne Sikhs.
