WestVic Hockey’s men’s team fell short of a top four opponent for the second week in a row as its finals hopes fade in the Hockey Victoria’s men’s league one competition.
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Michael Chrucher converted early from a penalty corner to give WestVic an early lead over Gippsland Bulls. It held that lead for the first hour before the Bulls delivered two goals in five minutes to move to a 2-1 lead – which ultimately was the final score.
The second half was an arm-wrestle and Gippsland made the most of its opportunities while WestVic failed to convert some late penalty corners.
The loss follows a 3-1 defeat to PEGS last weekend and while WestVic remains in fifth position and within reach of the top four teams, the past fortnight has seen it surrender a great opportunity to make serious inroads into the final four.
Coach Chris Vaughan said it was a disappointing fortnight for the side and while the hope of making finals is not gone, its top four aspirations are now out of its hands.
“Those were the two games that we needed to take the points,” Vaughan said.
“They’re our direct competition for the final four, so it’s certainly made it very difficult from here. We probably have to win four of the five games and two of those games are against the top two sides.
“It’s still possible, but we have to win from here and hope for one of those sides to fall over somewhere along the line.
“I think we believe we are a finals side...but it might turn out that we may well be the fifth best side.”
Meanwhile, the WestVic women gained its first point for the season, playing out a draw with third-placed Powerhouse-St Kilda.
But it was so close to taking home the full points.
Mindee Stone gave WestVic a 1-0 lead and it held it for much of the match until a goal in the final two minutes saw scores locked at 1-1. Despite the disappointment of not gaining full points, it was an impressive display against a quality outfit.