H1 Match Report: Round 2 - Perth Thundersticks v Hockey Club Melbourne

The Perth Thundersticks left Melbourne with a split of results, as the women produced a composed 3-1 victory built on clinical finishing and resolute defence, while the men showed plenty of fight but ultimately fell 2-5 against a clinical Hockey Club Melbourne outfit.

Women

The Perth Thundersticks Women produced a composed performance in their second straight week on the road, combining clinical finishing with a resolute defensive effort to claim a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Hockey Club Melbourne.

After an even opening period, the Thundersticks struck first when Madi Ratcliffe converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag flick just three minutes into the contest.

Hockey Club Melbourne responded by controlling large stretches of possession and testing the Thundersticks defence, but goalkeeper Summer Greenway produced several crucial saves to keep her side in front.

HC Melbourne's persistence eventually paid off through Sophie Murphy from a penalty corner, levelling the scores before quarter time as the teams headed to the first break locked at 1-1.

The second quarter remained a tightly contested affair, with both sides creating opportunities but unable to find a breakthrough.

Perth Thundersticks pushed forward with intent, highlighted by a dangerous Courtney Schonell effort after excellent build-up from Ratcliffe, while Hockey Club Melbourne continued to apply pressure through a series of penalty corners that were well defended.

Greenway was again outstanding, producing another crucial save late in the term to ensure the scores remained level heading into half-time.

The Thundersticks gained the upper hand in a hard-fought third quarter, breaking the deadlock through a well-timed tackle by Bellé Ramshaw, a surging run from Ratcliffe and Neasa Flynn with a strong finish at the net.

After Flynn was brought during the conversion attempt by HC Melbourne goalkeeper Bridget Laurance, Courtney Schonell stepped up and converted the penalty stroke.

The visitors continued to look dangerous in attack despite HC Melbourne building momentum of their own.

HC Melbourne pressed hard for a response as the quarter wore on, but the Thundersticks stood firm defensively to take a 3-1 lead into the final break.

The Thundersticks absorbed plenty of pressure in the final quarter to secure the victory, with HC Melbourne pushing hard in search of a way back into the contest.

The Thundersticks continued to create opportunities at one end, while the defence stood tall at the other, running down a penalty corner and limiting HC Melbourne's chances.

The hosts were handed a golden opportunity from a penalty stroke, but were unable to convert, before Greenway produced yet another crucial save late in the match.

HC Melbourne continued to press through the closing stages, but the Thundersticks held firm to preserve their advantage and claim a hard-earned 3-1 win.

Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 3 (Madi Ratcliffe 3’, Neasa Flynn 36’, Courtney Schonell 36’)
Hockey Club Melbourne 1 (Sophie Murphy 12’)
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 2. Jolie Sertorio, 3. Neasa Flynn, 4. Madi Ratcliffe, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 9. Georgia Hiskins, 10. Jesse Reid, 12. Liné Malan (C), 13. Caitlyn Templeman, 15. Bellé Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Sophie Nation, 19. Beatrice Bell, 27. Summer Greenway (GK), 28. Georgia Wilson, 99. Morgan Gould (Emergency GK).
 
Hockey Club Melbourne team: 1. Sophie Murphy, 3. Mihaylia Howell, 4. Miri Maroney, 5. Kristina Bates, 8. Lourdes Perez (GK), 10. Emily Hamilton-Smith, 12. Greta Hayes, 13. Rebecca Greiner, 14. Laura Barden, 16. Bridget Laurance (GK), 20. Zali Ward, 22. Lisa Lejeune, 23. Ashley Hoffman, 29. Samantha Love, 30. Bianca Zurrer, 31. Evie Stansby.

Men

The Perth Thundersticks Men fought hard throughout the contest and showed plenty of resilience, but Hockey Club Melbourne capitalised on their opportunities to claim a 5-2 victory despite a determined fightback from the visitors.

The Thundersticks created plenty of early attacking opportunities and earned a string of penalty corners, but HC Melbourne weathered the pressure.

HC Melbourne would break the deadlock with Josh Simmonds scoring a field goal though Thundersticks keeper Hunter Banyard would prevent the subsequent conversion.

As the Thundersticks looked to mount a response, HC Melbourne stood tall in defence and earned a late penalty corner goal via Nathan Ephraums to lead 2-0 at quarter time.

The second quarter developed into a tense territorial battle, with HC Melbourne continuing to threaten through circle entries while the Thundersticks worked hard to apply defensive pressure.

The Thundersticks gradually built momentum but struggled to penetrate the attacking circle, as both sides fought for control through the midfield.

HC Melbourne earned a penalty corner in the dying stages of the quarter but could not capitalise, while a late attacking scramble was also repelled by the Thundersticks defence, leaving the score unchanged at 2-0 heading into half-time.

The third quarter burst into life as the Thundersticks searched for a way back into the contest.

After HC Melbourne extended their lead through Nathan Ephraums following a penalty corner re-award, the Thundersticks responded strongly, with debutant Ethan Yem helping earn a penalty corner as the visitors increased the pressure.

Their persistence paid off when Max Freedman found Harry Golding in front of goal, with Golding applying the finishing touch and converting to cut the deficit to a single goal.

However, HC Melbourne answered quickly through Duncan Jackson, who capitalised on a loose ball in front of goal before converting to restore his side's three-goal cushion.

Despite the Thundersticks’ best efforts at both ends of the field, Hockey Club Melbourne carried a 5-2 advantage into the final break.

The Thundersticks continued to push for a late comeback in the final quarter, with Brodee Foster forcing a save from Jed Snowden as Perth searched for a way back into the contest.

A fierce midfield battle unfolded as both sides traded possession, while HC Melbourne remained dangerous in attack and continued to apply pressure.

Despite the Thundersticks’ determination to create scoring opportunities in the closing stages, HC Melbourne's defence stood firm to protect its lead and secure a 5-2 victory.

 
Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 2 (Harry Golding 36’/36’)
Hockey Club Melbourne 5 (Josh Simmonds 11’, Nathan Ephraums 15’/32’, Duncan Jackson 42’/42’)
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 2. Luke Anderson, 5. Angus Adamson, 9. Johannes Grosse, 10. Max Freedman, 11. Tom Harvie, 13. Daykin Stanger, 15. Ben O’Grady, 16. Brodee Foster, 19. Ian Grobbelaar, 20. Mitch Pace, 24. Cam Geddes, 25. Ethan Yem 26. James Collins (C), 27. Hunter Banyard (GK), 43. Harry Golding, 99. George Eaves (Emergency GK).
 
Hockey Club Melbourne team: 1. Ben White, 2. Duncan Jackson, 3. Jonathan Bretherton, 5. Cooper Burns, 6. Damon Steffens, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 8. Edward Arnold (GK), 9. Oliver Will, 10. Brad Marais, 11. Jed Snowden (GK), 12. Connar Otterbach, 13. Daan Smits, 14. Joshua Henderson, 15. Josh Simmonds, 21. Carlin Walker, 23. Henry Laussen.

The Perth Thundersticks is proudly supported by Bravo Apples, ERM High Voltage Asset Specialists, Polytan, Hexa Commercial, Session Equity, and SRG Global.