NSW was undefeated three games into their 2018 Under 21 Women's Indoor National Championship campaign in Goulburn with Orange’s Rachel Divall and Chloe Barrett leading the charge.
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The Blues beat Victoria on Tuesday night after the Victorians got the jump on NSW, leading 3-0 at half time before a five goal second half saw the Blues prevail 5-3.
Orange’s Rachel Divall sent one to the back of the net from a penalty corner in the 23rd minute of the second half, which kicked off an astonishing period which saw the Blues sink their five goals of the game in just 20 minutes.
Bathurst’s Sarah Watterson scored 12 minutes after Divall putting the score to 3-2 Victoria’s way with less than six minutes remaining before three minutes of mayhem from Kiarra Marsh put the score at 4-3 with three minutes to go.
Watterson then scored again in the final minute to sink Victoria’s chances.
NSW’s frantic few minutes were similar to their opening game against Queensland, however the Blues weren’t under the pump 3-0 down in the opening game, where the Blues scored four times in a six minute spree on their way to an 8-0 victory.
In their other game, NSW defeated Western Australia 6-1 in emphatic fashion, leading 4-0 at half time and only letting the one goal slip through the defence halfway through the second half, which came off the stick of WA’s Janelle Miller.
Kiarra Marsh hit her seventh goal of the tournament six minutes into the win over WA, before former Dubbo-based player Emma Corcoran sunk the Blue’s second goal in the 14th minute.
Watterson then joined the party, adding a goal of her own four minutes later.
Traditionally a powerhouse hockey state, WA were yet to hit the winner’s books halfway through day two.
NSW were well on top in the women’s tournament, remaining unbeaten with a goal difference of 15, 13 clear of second placed Victoria.
The Blues sit one and a half games clear of ACT, who have recorded a win, draw and a loss, and two games above Victoria and Queensland.
Staying on top would gift them a ticket straight to the semi-final on Thursday evening, while the remaining four teams play off for spots in the semi finals.
The grand final will be held on Friday.
NSW have been even more comprehensive in the men’s competition, sitting unbeaten with a goal difference of 26 in just three games mid-way through day two after beating Queensland 8-1, Victoria 11-1 and Tasmania 9-0.
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
