Underwater domination for Wonthaggi

ON SUNDAY May 7, Victorian Underwater Hockey held the 2023 state titles at Geelong Grammar school.

They ran the junior’s competition (U19s) first thing in the morning and then the open division played out over the rest of the day. 

There was a very strong turnout of players and teams over both divisions with four teams presenting for the juniors and six teams for the seniors. 

Wonthaggi sent 12 junior players that were predominantly U15s with a few U19s to help support the younger kids. 

For most of the Wonthaggi Kids this was not only their first competition but also their first time in a two-metre-deep pool to which they quickly adapted. 

This was a very close competition with a three-way tie for second and the “Sharks” just securing first position after a count back on the goals scored.

There was neither prize money nor prizes on offer for the open division, but the competitors came from all over the state, and the rumour of a Scottish lass that just so happened to be in Wonthaggi town to join the team were true. 

What they all travelled to Geelong for was the bragging rights, an awesome trophy and the opportunity to take the title away from Wonthaggi. 

Throughout the round robin event it started to show that both Wonthaggi and Ballarat were the teams to beat. 

When Wonthaggi beat Ballarat by a single goal during the round robin, there was still nobody confident enough to predict a winner at the end. 

Come semi-finals Wonthaggi comfortably beat the “Wizards” and Ballarat accounted for Maribyrnong.

The Wonthaggi team was comprised of Under 15’s Will Stein, U19’s Maddi Maund, Hamish Scothern, Lacie Phillips, Ethan Milnes, Caden Milnes, Sam Tracey, Grace Wells and seniors - Dave Barry McCauley, Tim Ogden and Emma Og.

The final was a hard-fought game and there was a reason no one was taking bets on the winner, the half time score was one all, the full time score was two all, a draw, which sent the teams into overtime and the golden goal ruled implemented to find the winner. 

Within a few minutes Wonthaggi was pressing hard, the back line - Caden, Tim, Dave, Sam and Emma repulsing attacks and supplying the puck well to the forward line Maddi, Will, Hamish, Lacie and Grace. 

Wonthaggi thought they had the goal at one stage but the puck refused to drop into the goal and was whisked away by a feverish Ballarat back line who worked well with their forward line to push the puck all the way to their own goal scoring moment. 

Dave refused to concede that goal and intercepted the drive at full back, took it sideways where he passed to Caden Milnes who just happened to find a fresh Emma Og coming straight off the bench after a rest, she received the pass and took off with the puck heading for the goal tray, after realizing she had cleared the exhausted Ballarat defense she found another gear and took the puck all the way to the goal tray for a golden goal win!

Once again Wonthaggi were the victors.

Wonthaggi Underwater Hockey Club are always looking for new players and meet up at the Wonthaggi YMCA on Thursday evenings, Juniors from 7-8pm and adults from 8-9pm, bring your bathers, everything else is supplied.