WESTVIC has upset minor premier PEGS to progress straight into the Hockey Victoria men’s state league two grand final.
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The Ballarat-based WestVic scored late to defeat Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School 4-3 in the qualifying final on Saturday.
Max Ferrier and Ewan Wallin each found the back of the net twice to earn WestVic its first ever division two grand final berth.
PEGS dominated the home and away season – taking over top position from WestVic in round three and making the running for the rest of the year. It remained unbeaten until the second last round.
WestVic, which finished second, made most of the running early.
Ferrier opened the scoring and through relentless pressure allowed Ewan Wallin to get more first half goals to give WestVic a 3-0 lead.
PEGS was not about to lie down though.
It earned a string of short corners, which allow PEGS level the scoreline at 3-all.
With a grand final spot on the line, WestVic won a penalty corner with four minutes to play and Max Ferrier converted.
Werribee defeated Knox 3-1 in the elimination final and now meets PEGS in the preliminary final for the right to play WestVic for the premiership.
WESTVIC also remains in the Hockey Victoria women’s state league two premiership hunt.
Led by the likes of Annie Poulton, Ruth Ryan and Hannah Maloney, WestVic defeated Werribee 3-1 in an elimination final.
While the final margin was comfortable, WestVic did not put Werribee away until late.
WestVic, which finished third, meets Casey, which lost to minor premier Old Xaverians 4-1 in the qualifying final.
WestVic had to dig deep though after giving up an early lead to Werribee from a rebound off a penalty corner – lifting the tempo through Mikenna Papworth, Claire Noether and the overlapping Anna McClelland and Chantelle Prendergast.
Werribee’ stood firm in the face of a run of penalty corners, but WestVic was finally rewarded when Hannah Maloney delivered the ball back to Noether for a goal on half-time.
Westvic built on this after the break with Ryan, Kyn Nicol, Jess Richardson, and Emma Maloney able to nullify Werribee.
This gave the Westvic midfielders and strikers plenty of opportunities – forcing turnovers and making the Werribee defence work overtime.
The persistence eventually paid off.
WestVic was rewarded with a a penalty corner and Hannah Maloney slammed the ball into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.
With only minutes to go WestVic continued to attack and Cecily Frost was able to rebound a shot off the Werribee goalkeeper’s pads and secure the 3-1 scoreline.
After finishing on top, WestVic lost its women's division two reserves qualifying final to Casey and now faces Werribee in the preliminary final.