Ric Charlesworth Classic round one wrap-up

Round one of the inaugural Ric Charlesworth Classic saw the Western Australian weather put on a show for the Perth Hockey Stadium faithful, with not a cloud in the sky at any moment.

The perfect conditions of the day correlated to the matches, as we saw a full spread of varied full-time results to cater for all types of hockey mad spectators.

The first match of the day saw the women's Suns and Breakers kick off the tournament, the first of its kind in Australia, and the drafted teams showed that there wasn't going to be a lack of chemistry, with both sides playing some stunning hockey with great flow through the midfield.

With both sides scoring goals in the 15th minute, it seemed as though we had a tight contest on our hands, and we weren't proven wrong as both teams had their fair share of chances but neither could pull away due to a strong defensive mindset from both teams.

In the end, the Breakers faithful's prayers were answered, with a Penny Squibb goal in the 33rd minute proven to be the difference between the two sides.

WOMEN'S SUNS V BREAKERS - FULL TIME

SUNS 1 - BREAKERS 2

GOALS:

SUNS - Jade Vanderzwan (15')

BREAKERS - Harriet Collins (15'), Penny Squibb (33')

As the harsh sun beamed down onto the Perth Hockey Stadium pitch, it felt fitting that the men's Suns team would thrive in the first men's match of the tournament, beating the Highlanders 2-0.

The Suns started off strong, opening the scoring in only the 2nd minute, with a strong goal to Hayden Vaitekenas.

Dane Gavranich put the Suns 2-0 up, with a sensational solo run around the circle, finished off with a cracking goal that wowed an enthralled Perth Hockey Stadium crowd.

The Highlanders had a few opportunities to pull back and compete with the Suns, but the Suns overran them in the end, and controlled the play for the majority of the match, cementing them as a strong contender going into round 2.

MEN'S SUNS V HIGHLANDERS

SUNS 2 - HIGHLANDERS 0

GOALS:

SUNS - Hayden Vaitekenas (2'), Dane Gavranich (12')

An absolute goal-fest was had bu the Outbacks in the third match of the day, beating the Highlanders 5-1.

A goal in the 2nd minute to Roos Swann put the Outbacks in good stead, but a reply from the Highlanders' Saysha Pillay drew the teams level in only the fourth minute.

The flood gates opened for the OUtbacks with goals comin in quick succession; another Roos Swann goal in the 11th minute exciting the Perth Hockey Stadium Crowd, with the prospect of a hat-trick from the star.

Neasa Flynn and Georgina Dowd added to the Highlanders worries in the 22nd and 33rd minutes respectively, with Roos Swann securing her hat-trick after a sensational performance in front of goal in the 57th minute.

WOMEN'S OUTBACKS V HIGHLANDERS

OUTBACKS 5 - HIGHLANDERS 1

GOALS:

Outbacks - Roos Swann (2') (11') (57'), Neasa Flynn (22'), Georgina Dowd (33')

Highlanders - Saysha Pillay (4')

Our final match of the day proved to be an absolute thriller!

Both teams were rock solid in defence in the first half, with both sides unable to get past each team's brick wall-like defending lines.

The scoreline of 0-0 at half-time didn't do the play justice, as both teams connected sensationally through all lines of the field, stunning the Perth Hockey Stadium crowd who couldn't understand how these drafted teams looked to have played together for years.

The Breakers hero for the day was Aaron Kleinschmidt, who proved to be the difference between the two sides, scoring a solid goal in the 39th minute.

With the Outbacks despereate to pull back, they pulled out all the stops in the final minutes, with a shot hitting the post in the final minute breaking their hearts.

MEN'S OUTBACKS V BREAKERS

OUTBACKS 0 - BREAKERS 1

GOALS

Breakers - Aaron Klenschmidt (39')