HOCKEY
A BRILLIANT all-round performance from Jade Warrender inspired Ex-Services to their first win in almost two months in her side’s women’s Premier League Hockey local derby against Orange Cougars on Saturday.
The Australian Junior World Cup team member set up the blue and golds’ first three goals and scored the fourth as Servies shook off a determined Cougars challenge to record a 4-1 win at the Orange Hockey Centre.
The teams went into half-time level at 1-all after an opening stanza where Cougars looked the more dangerous side, but Gail Kennewell’s charges showed better composure in the second 35 minutes to secure their first win since their 5-0 drubbing of Lithgow Zig Zag on May 9.
Kennewell was pleased Ex-Services were able to control proceedings in the second half after finding it difficult to break down Cougars’ defence in the first stanza.
“We were pleased with the effort in the first half, but we probably didn’t control the ball or build up the play well enough,” Kennewell said.
“In the second half we had a lot more of the ball and controlled it well. Then Jade came into her own and set up two or three goals.
“But everyone played really well in the second half there, they stepped it up a bit and it was a good team performance.”
Ex-Services veteran Debbie Orrock put her side 1-0 ahead inside five minutes after deflecting home a pinpoint Warrender pass from close range.
Cougars steadied and worked their way back into the contest on the back of some impressive efforts from youngster Kate Butcherine and Rachel Goodlock.
Butcherine created the equaliser for Cougars in the 25th minute with a quick break down the centre of the field, before linking with another of the red and greens’ young brigade in Crystal Stojanovic.
Stojanovic’s first shot was well-saved by newly-named NSW Combined High Schools keeper Nat Parmeter, but her young opponent showed good determination to sweep home the rebound and level proceedings at the break.
Ex-Services got off to an ideal start to the second half when veteran Ali Baker scored in the 37th minute after a powerful Warrender shot was parried straight into her path.
Warrender helped put Servies 3-1 up in the 50th minute after producing a dazzling run through the centre of the field, before a perfect pass allowed Linda Wilson to score from close range.
The 17-year-old looked to produce a similar play seven minutes from full-time, but was brought down by Cougars defender Muriel Holmes on her way to the goal.
It mattered little, though, with Warrender blasting home her side’s fourth goal from the ensuing penalty corner to entrench Servies inside the top four of the WPL on 24 competition points.
“It was nice to get the win - and also a good win. It’s been a while since we had a good win,” Kennewell said.
“At half-time we said it was important not to think so much about winning, but to think about playing good hockey.
“Whether we win or lose, we need to be happy with the level of hockey we were playing.
“You could see the girls’ confidence grow in the second half as we started to play better, which was really pleasing.”
While Warrender was a clear standout for Ex-Services, Cougars were well-served by Butcherine, Goodlock and Reita Holmes.
ORANGE EX-SERVICES 4 (Debbie Orrock, Linda Wilson, Ali Baker, Jade Warrender) def ORANGE COUGARS 1 (Crystal Stojanovic).
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