H1 Match Report: Round 4 – Perth Thundersticks v Hockey Club Melbourne

Despite fierce determination and relentless pressure across both matches, HC Melbourne held firm to claim narrow victories after withstanding waves of attacking play and late surges from spirited Perth Thundersticks outfits.

Women

The Perth Thundersticks Women’s team have been left chasing a win once again after falling just short to Hockey Club Melbourne by a single goal.
Both teams had penalty corner opportunities, although the Thundersticks’ shot went wide, while HC Melbourne’s was deflected.
The Thundersticks quickly transitioned and scored in the 8th minute through Liné Malan, assisted by Sarah Byrnes under pressure.
HC Melbourne tried to respond, but the Thundersticks maintained control with a disciplined and organised approach, ending the quarter leading 1–0.
The even contest continued, with HC Melbourne fighting to stay in the game while the Thundersticks maintained heavy pressure.
Jesse Reid came close with a shot, and the Thundersticks earned a penalty corner, but Melbourne’s defence held firm.
HC Melbourne kept pushing and eventually broke through with a field goal by Hannah Cotter, followed by a successful conversion, taking the lead 2–1 at halftime.
HC Melbourne came out strong, pushing early in the third quarter, but PTX matched them defensively.
Kaitlin Nobbs broke through the middle, and the Thundersticks eventually earned a penalty corner, though the shot was deflected.
Courtney Schonell proved a threat, coming close for the Thundersticks.
The quarter featured intense back-and-forth play, with multiple penalty corners for both sides, all deflected.
The Thundersticks fought hard in defence, but HC Melbourne held onto their 2–1 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Thundersticks continued to push hard for a comeback in the final term, earning a penalty corner that unfortunately resulted in Malan being struck in the face.
Despite the setback, the Thundersticks kept up the pressure, with goalkeeper Zoe Newman forcing a turnover and Madi Ratcliffe earning another penalty corner, though the shot went over the net.
The Thundersticks had several close chances, but HC Melbourne’s defence held firm.
With Newman subbed off in the final minutes, the Thundersticks gave it everything, but time ran out, and HC Melbourne secured a 2–1 victory.

 
Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 1 (Liné Malan 8')
Hockey Club Melbourne 2 (Hannah Cotter 29'/29')
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 2. Jolie Sertorio, 4. Madi Ratcliffe, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 7. Penny Squibb, 10. Jesse Reid, 11. Rachel Frusher, 12. Liné Malan (C), 13. Caitlyn Templeman, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Kaitlin Nobbs, 20. Karri Somerville, 22. Zoe Newman (GK), 24. Britney DeSilva, 26. Lexie Pickering.
 
Hockey Club Melbourne team: 3. Mihaylia Howell, 4. Rosie Hope, 5. Krissy Bates, 6. Olivia Colasurdo, 7. Ciara Utri, 8. Hannah Cotter, 10. Emily Hamilton-Smith, 13. Beck Greiner, 15. Olivia Downes, 16. Bridget Laurance, 20. Zali Ward, 25. Hannah Gravenall, 29. Sammy Love, 30. Bianca Zurrer, 31. Evie Stansby.

Men

HC Melbourne held their nerve in a fiercely contested battle, pulling away late to defeat the Thundersticks 3–1, with Cooper Burns’ fourth-quarter strike sealing the win after a tense, end-to-end encounter.
The match began with high intensity and end-to-end action, as both teams applied pressure in a tightly contested opening.
HC Melbourne earned a penalty corner but couldn’t convert, while the Thundersticks also came close with a near miss.
The quarter remained evenly matched, with goalkeeper Christian Starkie making key saves late in the term to keep the scores level.
The deadlock remained at quarter time.
The even contest continued into the second quarter, with HC Melbourne earning another penalty corner, but the shot was deflected.
The intensity picked up, with aggressive play under pressure and plenty of end-to-end movement.
Christian Starkie remained solid in goal, keeping HC Melbourne at bay.
HC Melbourne eventually broke through with a goal from Daan Smits off a penalty corner, taking the lead.
The Thundersticks tried to respond quickly, with a strong run from Cam Geddes, but his shot was blocked.
The half ended with HC Melbourne leading 1–0 in a tightly fought battle.
HC Melbourne started the quarter strongly, earning multiple penalty corners but couldn’t convert, with Jake Harvie leading the Thundersticks’ defensive efforts.
HC Melbourne dominated possession, though the Thundersticks responded with a solid run from Cam Geddes, earning a PC, but Tom Harvie’s shot was blocked.
The contest tightened into a stalemate, with Zach Rakkas earning another PC for the Thundersticks, again denied by HC Melbourne’s defence.
After several close chances, Ian Grobbelaar finally broke through for Perth, scoring off a PC to level the match.
HC Melbourne tried to respond quickly but couldn’t convert, leaving the score tied at 1–1 at three quarter time.
The tight contest continued, with the Thundersticks earning an early penalty corner that went wide.
HC Melbourne responded with a field goal from Cooper Burns, followed by a successful conversion to regain the lead.
The Thundersticks had a close chance shortly after, but HC Melbourne kept up the pressure.
While the Thundersticks tried to push back defensively, with Christian Starkie remaining solid in goal.
In the end, HC Melbourne held on to win 3–1.

 
Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 1 (Ian Grobbelaar 44')
Hockey Club Melbourne 3 (Daan Smits 22', Cooper Burns 49'/49)
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Sam Ashton, 2. Luke Anderson, 4. Jake Harvie (C), 6. Kye Stirrat, 7. Zach Rakkas, 10. Max Freedman, 11. Tom Harvie (VC), 14. Chaz Davies, 15. Liam Flynn, 16. Brodee Foster, 18. Christian Starkie (GK), 19. Ian Grobbelaar, 20. James Cunningham, 24. Cam Geddes, 26. James Collins (VC). 
 
Hockey Club Melbourne team: 3. Jonathan Bretherton, 4. Liam Henderson, 5. Cooper Burns, 6. Ben White, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 10. Brad Marais, 11. Jed Snowden, 12. Connar Otterbach, 13. Daan Smits, 14. Josh Henderson, 15. Josh Simmonds, 16. Ky Willott, 17. Kiran Arunasalam, 20. Nye Roberts, 23. Doug Buckley.

The Perth Thundersticks is proudly supported by Bravo Apples, ERM High Voltage Asset Specialists, Polytan, Session Equity, and Project Innovations. 
 
The Perth Thundersticks Women’s program is also proudly supported by the WA State Government.