All grades return to action in exciting round of GVHA action

By Zac Standish

May 3, 2022

Welcome return: All GVHA grades returned to the pitch at the weekend in an exciting round of hockey action. Photo by Meg Saultry

The Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex was once again awash with life at the weekend, as all Goulburn Valley Hockey Association grades returned to the pitch.

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While the season officially started on March 27 when the A-grade men’s competition kicked off, the weekend marked the true return of hockey in the region, with players from all over the Goulburn Valley descending on Shepparton across two action-packed days.

GVHA president Cameron Druitt said it was fantastic to see all grades back battling it out on the pitch.

“It was rewarding (to see everyone back) after many months of planning how we were going to come out of COVID-19,” Druitt said.

“We are reasonably happy with how the competition performed, we would have loved to have seen more teams, but with what we’ve got it is definitely something to build on.”

In terms of results, SYC delivered with a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Echuca-Moama in the A-grade men’s competition on Saturday afternoon.

Coming off an 8-0 loss to Strikers in round one, the Echuca-Moama team was more competitive in its second-up fixture, but just fell short in a thrilling display of GVHA action.

The other A-grade fixture saw the Strikers continue on their merry way, dominating Mooroopna from start to finish to come away 5-1 winners.

In the B-grade men’s competition, Strikers and Mooroopna battled out a thrilling draw under Friday night lights, while SYC enjoyed a hard-fought 5-3 triumph over Echuca-Moama.

COVID-19 implications meant only one B-grade women’s game went ahead, with Mooroopna proving far too much for Benalla/SYC, registering a 10-0 victory.

The match between Strikers and Euroa will be rescheduled to later in the season.

In junior action six teams took to the pitch in the hotly contested under-14s competition.

Strikers had a thrilling 3-2 victory over GVGS Blue on Friday night, while GVGS Gold and SYC joined them on the winners’ list after Saturday triumphs.

The sole match in the under-17 competition was won by Echuca-Moama, who outlasted a gallant Strikers side to run away 4-2 victors.

The under-12s saw Strikers get the chocolates over GVGS in a 6-5 thriller, while SYC rounded out the weekend’s winners with a convincing 9-0 win over Mooroopna.

With so many keen hockey players making their much anticipated return to the pitch, Druitt said the feeling at the Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex across the weekend was one of pure excitement.

“The overriding feel was, just how great is it to be back in full swing,” he said.

“The socialising among players, coaches and parents after the games, the respect for the umpires and just the work of the volunteers, it was just overwhelming to see.”