University celebrate their fifth straight grand final win, beating Albion Park on Sunday to take the 2012 title. Photo: ROBERT PEET
HOCKEY
University have claimed their fifth consecutive hockey title, beating Albion Park 3-2 in the grand final of the Illawarra men’s hockey league at Unanderra on Sunday.
And what a way to finish the season on their 50th anniversary and with their women’s team also winning the Illawarra women’s league title.
The men’s match was a torrid affair with scores 1-1 at half-time. University came up trumps in the second half, taking the score to 3-1, with the Park making a desperate attempt to bring back the game.
Tempers flared in the second half with three Albion Park players given their marching orders by both umpires David Gentles and Tyson Street, who were kept busy throughout the game.
University coach Simon Beaton was happy with the result, saying his team just kept to the basics and took their chances.
With Bede Gillard back in the team from Perth, it was Park who went ahead in the 20th minute when Blake Govers finished off a great move from Jack Hayes to completely surprise the students goalkeeper, Alex Montgomery.
But a minute later Simon Beaton equalised from a penalty corner.
In the second half the students piled on the pressure to earn three penalty corners and Beaton got his second, taking the score to 2-1 in the 50th minute.
The Park had a great opportunity to come back from a penalty corner but Govers’ drag-flick was brilliantly palmed away by Montgomery.
University went further ahead 3-1 when Jeremy Huk got one ball past Nathan Ackroyd, but with two minutes left Blake Govers reduced the deficit from another penalty corner.
After this, Park appealed for another penalty corner but the umpires turned it down.
University also won second grade with Red beating Blue 1-0, Dapto won the third grade beating Park 5-2, Park White beat Wests Illawarra 1-0 in fourth grade, and Fairy Meadow won the fifth grade, beating Wests 2-1.
■ University also claimed the Illawarra women’s title, beating Avondale 1-0 in the grand final on Saturday.
Tamara Evans scored the winner, taking advantage of a goalmouth scramble in the Avondale defence area.
University also won Division 3, with Dapto winning Division 2 and Figtree claiming Division 4.