By LSPT Jason Hutchinson

Navy dominated play at the WA Interservice Hockey but went down to Army, 1 goal 2.

Photo: ABPH Joanne Edwards

Despite dominating play, Navy was unable to bring home the win at the WA Interservice Hockey Competition, losing to Army 1-2.

Played last month at Challenge Stadium Hockey Field, all competitors and officials experienced trying weather conditions. Unfortunately this year the RAAF were unable to compete, and it was left to Navy and Army to fight it out for the trophy.

Both sides fielded strong players, many having represented their service on more than one occasion. Play was scrappy for the first ten minutes but Navy settled in best and dominated the first 20 minutes of the first half.

Against the run of play Army scored from one of their only breaks of the first half.

This increased the intensity of the game, and the goal gave Army an increased confidence that improved the level of play during the remainder of the first half.

Navy came out strong in the second half, and started to control play like they had done at the start of the match.

Some outstanding ball control from ABSTD Steven-Carroll and LSCSO Hansen kept the ball in Navy’s attacking half for the majority of the second half.

Finally, during a struggle in front of the goals, Navy equalised with only 15 minutes left on the clock, the score one all.

Set for overtime and the possibility of a penalty shootout, both teams enhanced their level of play.

As in the first half, Army made a quick break for the goal.

With all the Navy players in their attacking half trying to secure the winning goal, Army broke to a one on one play. Just as the defensive player was about to take the ball, Army slotted home the winning goal to win 2-1. An exciting finish to an extremely closely contested game.

Congratulations to CAPT King from the Army, who was presented with the Perpetual Trophy for best player of match.

Many thanks to all competitors and officials who made the day a huge success.

A special thanks to LCDR Radburn who took displeasure in presenting Army with their second win in a row.

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