H1 Match Report: Round 4 – Perth Thundersticks v Melbourne Cobras

The Perth Thundersticks enjoyed a perfect afternoon at Perth Hockey Stadium, with the Women's side producing a dominant 4-0 shutout before the Men's team capped off the day with an exciting 6-3 victory over Melbourne Cobras.

Women

The Perth Thundersticks Women's side produced a polished performance on home turf, combining clinical finishing with a disciplined defensive effort to defeat Melbourne Cobras 4-0 and secure a comprehensive victory.

The Thundersticks came out with intent in the opening quarter, applying early attacking pressure and earning multiple penalty corners, while Courtney Schonell was repeatedly denied by Melbourne Cobras goalkeeper Jenny Rizzo.

The Cobras matched the Thundersticks' intensity in a tightly contested midfield battle, creating chances of their own, but Summer Greenway was equal to the task at the other end.

With both sides unable to find a breakthrough despite several promising opportunities, the opening term finished scoreless at 0-0.

The Thundersticks continued to press the issue in the second quarter, creating sustained attacking opportunities and testing Rizzo on several occasions.

Their persistence paid off when Liné Malan found the back of the net to break the deadlock, giving the Thundersticks a deserved lead.

While the Cobras searched for a response, the Thundersticks remained dangerous in attack, with Malan pushing for a second goal and Courtney Schonell going close from a penalty corner.

Despite Rizzo's efforts to keep her side in the contest, Perth took a 1-0 advantage into the half-time break.

The Cobras looked to lift the pressure early in the third quarter, earning several penalty corners, but the Thundersticks' defence stood firm, with Annie Gibbs and her teammates repeatedly shutting down opportunities.

At the other end, Perth capitalised on a penalty corner of their own, with Malan netting her second goal of the match to double the advantage.

Despite the Cobras' continued fight and attacking intent, the Thundersticks remained composed defensively and carried a 2-0 lead into the final break.

The Thundersticks started the final quarter on the front foot, continuing to apply attacking pressure while remaining resolute in defence.

Melbourne Cobras pushed hard to find a way back into the contest and earned several penalty corners, but Summer Greenway produced a series of crucial saves as Perth's defenders stood firm.

The Cobras rolled the dice by replacing goalkeeper Rizzo with an extra field player in the closing minutes, but the move backfired as Sarah Byrnes struck late and converted the subsequent field goal opportunity to seal the result.

The Thundersticks' composure at both ends of the field ensured a convincing 4-0 victory at full time.

Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 4 (Liné Malan 22’/33’, Sarah Byrnes 60’/60’)
Melbourne Cobras 0
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 2. Jolie Sertorio, 3. Neasa Flynn, 4. Madi Ratcliffe, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 9. Georgia Hiskins, 10. Jesse Reid, 12. Liné Malan, 13. Caitlyn Templeman, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Sophie Nation, 19. Beatrice Bell, 20. Madison Woods (GK), 27. Summer Greenway (GK), 28. Georgia Wilson.
 
Melbourne Cobras team: 1. Claire Colwill, 4. Charlotte Hodgson, 6. Mahima Choudhary, 7. Ella Carr, 9. Delfina Thome, 10. Rosie Villagara, 11. Trinity Woodward, 16. Gracie Geddis, 17. Zara Geddis, 18. Udita Duhan, 20. Lily Lloyd, 21. Jenny Rizzo, 24. Lahni Woodger, 27. Lulu Olesen, 32. Harley Carter, 99. Jemima Hoddinott (GK).

Men

The Perth Thundersticks Men delivered an entertaining attacking display at Perth Hockey Stadium, overcoming several momentum swings and a determined Melbourne Cobras outfit to record an impressive 6-3 victory.

The Thundersticks made a strong start to the contest, creating several early chances as both sides traded attacks in a fast-paced opening quarter.

After Hunter Banyard's pressure helped force a Melbourne penalty stroke wide, Tom Harvie opened the scoring from a penalty corner for Perth.

The Cobras responded through Jake Whetton and a successful field conversion to take the lead, but Cam Geddes struck from a penalty corner late in the term to ensure the sides were locked at 2-2 at quarter-time.

The Thundersticks and Cobras continued to trade momentum in a tightly contested second quarter, with both sides battling hard through the midfield and creating opportunities.

Banyard came up with a key save from a Cobras penalty corner before Perth began to build sustained pressure in attack.

After earning a series of penalty corner re-awards, Geddes found the breakthrough with his second goal of the match to restore Perth's lead.

The Thundersticks continued to threaten with several dangerous circle entries, while the Cobras searched for an equaliser, but Perth held firm to take a 3-2 advantage into half-time.

Melbourne Cobras came out determined to claw their way back into the contest in the third quarter, but the Thundersticks continued to apply strong defensive pressure while looking dangerous on the counterattack.

The Cobras levelled the scores through Rohit from a penalty corner before Perth responded, with a brilliant end-to-end passage from James Collins, culminating in Harry Golding restoring the lead with a field goal.

Both sides continued to create chances in an entertaining end-to-end battle, but Perth held onto a 4-3 advantage heading into the final break.

The Thundersticks continued to apply pressure early in the final quarter, with both sides locked in an intense end-to-end battle as they searched for the next breakthrough.

Perth eventually found it through a slick turnover, with Johannes Grosse intercepting before linking up with Flynn Ogilvie, who set up Daykin Stanger to finish and then complete the field conversion.

With the lead extended, the Thundersticks took control as Melbourne began to fade, and Perth's defence held firm through the closing stages to secure a memorable 6-3 victory.

Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 6 (Tom Harvie 12’, Cam Geddes 15’/20’, Harry Golding 36’, Daykin Stanger 50’/50’)
Melbourne Cobras 3 (Jake Whetton 14’/14’, Rohit 33’)
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Sam Ashton, 5. Angus Adamson, 9. Johannes Grosse, 10. Max Freedman, 11. Tom Harvie, 13. Daykin Stanger, 16. Brodee Foster, 17. Jonah Pilatti, 20. Mitch Pace, 22. Flynn Ogilvie,24. Cam Geddes, 25. Ethan Yem, 26. James Collins, 27. Hunter Banyard (GK), 32. Matt Edwards (GK), 43. Harry Golding.
 
Melbourne Cobras team: 1. Oscar Allan, 2. Doug Buckley, 3. Evan Kimber, 4. Kade Leigh, 5. Trent Symms, 6. Eden Davis, 7. Gursahibjit Singh, 10. Raheel Mouseen, 12. Jake Whetton, 14. Peter Scott, 18. Ben Rennie (GK), 19. Sam Lowndes, 22. Sam Hiha, 23. Rohit, 27. Abu Bakar Mahmood, 99. Travis King (GK).

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