Far North Coast Hockey held the start of their final series at Goonellabah Hockey Complex on Saturday.

Men’s Hockey



Two clubs set the benchmark in the Men's 'A' Grade for the next two weeks; Ballina A ended Ballina R’s season 6-0 whilst Northern Star marched into the Grand Final defeating East Lismore 5-1.

Ballina R have been a competitive side and did well to hold the A side for as long as they did. However, with three minutes left in the first quarter, Corey Watson scored a field goal to open the “A” sides account.

Ballina R were superb in defence in the second quarter keeping their more fancied counterparts scoreless. Peter Ryan in goal, John Parker and Neil Stone led the way in the “R” side's defence.

In the third quarter Chris Dooley scored almost immediately and Corey Watson scored his second and third all field goals. In the fourth quarter, Scott Hamilton scored twice to make it a comprehensive victory.

Corey Watson, on right, scored a hat-trick, all field goals, for Ballina A, who are into the Preliminary Final. Photo: Shez Napper

Easts looked for all money a winning side in the first quarter early and played good hockey throughout the game. Star, after being under the pump, slowly but surely assumed command.

It was 0-0 at the end of the first quarter but in the second Mark Harris scored a field goal after five minutes and Brad Hughes scored five minutes later to put them two goals clear at half-time.

In the third quarter, Reece Gaddes converted a penalty corner with a solid low flick after five minutes' play and two minutes later Thomas Vantaggiato scored before Gaddes added his second.

Easts won the fourth quarter 1-0 with Dan Hughes scoring a consolation midway through the section and the Easts defence took control of that quarter.

There were some very good individual efforts from both sides with Currie, Layton, Hughes and Franey excelling for Easts while Harris, Frost, McGuinness and Harmon stood out for Star.

Mark Harris scored the first goal for Star as they eased into the Grand Final. Photo: Shez Napper

East Lismore will now play Ballina in the preliminary final next week.

Women’s Hockey

In the Major Semi Final of the Women’s ‘A’ Grade Division, Ballina defeated Northern Star 2-1 and in the ‘do or die’ Minor Semi Final Coraki won 1-0 against East Lismore.

Ballina applied the pressure in attack against Star in the opening minutes earning a penalty corner. Abby Brunton, in goal for Star, played an amazing game propelling Ballina’s attacking shots, which came at rapid pace from Cori Hardy, Billie King Venn, Gabby Arundell and Karina Perris. Abby not only managed the high and low balls but then threw herself sideways to save what looked like a certain goal.

Play, after the initial attack from Ballina, settled down and Star’s Annalyce Bodley received an accurate pass across the circle from Alana Albertini to open the scoring.

However, Ballina’s Cori Hardy with an individual run into the circle hit a well-placed hard shot to make the level the score at half-time.

In the last quarter Cori Hardy netted a second for Ballina that proved to be the winner.

Cori Hardy was unstoppable for Ballina, scoring twice to put them into the Grand Final. Photo: Shez Napper

Penny Lee, the goalkeeper for Ballina was called on to make a vital save late in the game as Star pressed for an equaliser.

Ballina advance to the Grand Final.

Coraki’s intention to pressure East Lismore was evident from the opening whistle however East’s defence, led by Jane Parrish, was solid. East’s goalkeeper Kylie Quinlan repelled scoring opportunities from the penalty corner attack by Coraki. Charlotte James made an attacking run for Easts but Coraki scrambled in defence and a shot from a penalty corner by Jane Parrish was deflected over the goal-line.

Play continued to fluctuate with great teamwork from both sides. In the last quarter the game was evenly contested with both teams missing scoring opportunities.

With no score at full time, the game went to “Drop Off”. Both teams had to drop two players and play with nine players for seven minutes. The first to score during this time, golden goal, would be declared the winner. Two minutes in, Coraki were awarded a penalty corner which they converted with Nella Bradford netting the goal and being mobbed by her team-mates.

Coraki will now advance to the Preliminary Final against Northern Star next Saturday.