LGSHA 2025: Two draws in tight round of men’s A-grade matches, Spencer Park, North Albany notch women’s wins

Reigning premiers Spencer Park were forced to share the points in round three of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade competition, drawing with Manypeaks on Saturday. Park won their first two games of the season but had to be content with a 2-all draw against an impressive Peaks outfit. It was a fast start from Park with an early goal from Mitch Pike and James Leiper followed it up with the team’s second. Park worked hard in defence, but Peaks remained determined to keep the top team in check. Jack Mills starred on the attack for Peaks and answered both of Park’s two goals. Both teams played hard in the final quarter to pull away, but neither could manage the winning goal. Campbell Mayne, Jack Mills and Samuel Graham were terrific for Peaks while Joe Robinson, Charlie Hudson and Hennie Botha were Park’s best players. North Albany and Mt Barker also drew in a low-scoring affair in the second men’s A-grade fixture. Astyn Temby scored for the Redbacks and Oliver Ritchie hit Mt Barker’s reply, leaving both teams pushing for another goal late in the second half but the match ended 1-1. Nic Slade, Ryan Bedford and Ritchie starred for Mt Barker and Redbacks’ best contributors were Robert Stan-Bishop, Tim Burns and Simon Philpott. In the women’s A-grade competition, North Albany defeated Mt Barker 1-0 in the first game of the night. Anna Speirs scored the Redbacks’ only goal and despite hard play throughout the game Mt Barker couldn’t break through the Redbacks’ defences to find a reply. Stella Gordon, Beck Gallimore and Michelle Ericsson were influential for the winners while Renae Parsons, Clare King and Katelin Woithe best served Mt Barker in a losing affair. In the second women’s A-grade game, defending premiers Spencer Park defeated Manypeaks 3-1. Lauren Spinks notched two of Park’s three goals, with Tallulah Gouldthorp chipping in with the third. Peaks star Kathryn Slattery scored the only goal for the losing side. Spinks, Gouldthorp and Rani Flynn stood out on the winning side and Slattery, Hallee Collard and Emmeline Cunningham were Peaks’ best players.