Highlanders' double makes Charlesworth history

The Ric Charlesworth Classic finals was headlined by an historic double title win in 2022, with the Highlanders men’s and women’s sides securing a victory in the gold medal matches at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University – the first side to do so.

The women’s Highlanders, boasting a plethora of young guns and experienced stars, claimed their first ever title in the women’s competition after securing a victory in a thrilling finale against the Breakers.

The Breakers, who completed an unbeaten run heading into the gold medal match, were down three-two going into the final minutes of the match.

The Breakers managed to earn a penalty corner with the last play of the match, with Star Breaker Line Malan finding the back of goal to push the match into shoot-outs.

Highlanders’ Elizabeth Duguid was the saviour for her side, saving two strokes to give her side the victory.

In the men’s gold medal match, the Highlanders, who have never made a final in the men’s, defeated the Outbacks 4-1 in a strong outing for the side.

The Highlanders piled on four goals to down to the Outbacks, with the Outbacks claiming a consolation goal in the 53^rd minute, but too late to pull back the score.

The Outbacks claimed bronze against the Suns in the women’s bronze medal match, completing a fine tournament run with a three-two victory.

The Outbacks, who made the gold medal match in 2021, looked to finish with a victory and did so through young gun scores in Matilda Banfield and Neasa Flynn.

The Suns secured the bronze medal in the men’s match against a young Breakers outfit, showcasing their attacking prowess with a dominant seven-one victory.

Suns’ Cam Geddes starred for the side, scoring the first two goals of the match to give his side the lead and insurmountable advantage for the rest of the match.

FULL SCORES

Women’s Outbacks 3 defeat Suns 2

Goals:

Outbacks - Matilda Banfield (13'), Neasa Flynn (33') (47')

Suns - Kim Leiper (26'), Candyce Peacock (45')

Men’s Suns 7 defeat Breakers 1

Goals:

Suns - Cam Geddes (2') (17'), Hayden Beltz (21'), Matt Willis (24'), Ian Grobbelaar (39'), Oscar Charlesworth (46'), Hayden Vaitekenas (49')

Breakers - Jesse Regan (22')

Women’s Highlanders 3 defeat Breakers 3 (3-1 SO)

Goals:

Highlanders - Jemma Buckley (2') (48'), Britney De Silva (24')

Breakers - Kyra White (13'), Savannah Fitzpatrick (23'), Line Malan (60')

Men’s Highlanders 4 defeat Outbacks 1

Goals:

Highlanders - Zach Rakkas (5'), Brodee Foster (19'), Jason Gabriel (41'), Rhys Angwin (53')

Outbacks - Michael Nicoli (53')