Grand Final Day wrap up

Grand Final Day 2020 was a long time coming, but what a day! OHA took out 4 of the 5 finals we we involved in!

It was our 4th Grade Men Red who got the day off to a winning start with the first club PremierSHIP of the day, defeating  NWG 2-0. The crowd witnessed some old McLeod magic and the Reds showed that although they may be a bit slower, they still have the skills. It was then the turn of the young 3rd Grade Men’s Red team to sing the club song, loud and proud as they claimed a  4-1 victory over Diamondbacks. From the first goal, the boys took control of the game and never looked like giving up that premierSHIP medallion. Our 2nd Grade Men made up for their suprise loss last year, claiming the clubs 3rd PremierSHIP of the day, with a nailbiting win over a determined Canterbury. The 2nd Grade Men took control of the game early, but let Canterbury back into the game, causing a few heartstopping moments for the crowd, and themselves, before holding on to their 1 goal advantage, claiming a 4-3 win.

Then our OHA First Grade Women capped off a great day of finals for the Ships, with a heart-in-the-mouth win over NWG, claiming the 2020 PremierSHIP in a “sudden death” shootout. The first half was very even, and there were few scoring opportunities for either team. The second half started at 0-0 but NWG found the net in the third quarter, to grab the lead. As time ticked away in the final quarter, Christabelle Moore eventually found a foot in the circle, to gain a PC opportunity for OHA. The first shot rebounded to Dayna Challis, who slotted home the equalizer with minutes remaining. An energized OHA then launched further attacks, but the full-time siren sounded at a 1-1 draw. So it was straight to a shoot-out, and again the teams were locked at 2-2 after the first round of one-on-ones. Susan Brooks and Sarah Wilson-Haffenden had scored for OHA and ‘keeper Lys Marmion had done a great job to keep NWG to level pegging. That brought us to a situation of ‘first-to-blink-misses’ and again Lys produced the saves before Susan Brooks calmly rounded the NWG ‘keeper and rolled home the OHA winner. Jubilation on the field and time for the crowd to take a breath! Susan and Lys proved the eventual match-winners, but special mention must go to a tireless performance by defender Ella Berresford for denying the NWG strikers time and again during the match. Well done to all the OHA team, which made the best of a combination of youth and experience to triumph in 2020, even if by the narrowest of margins!

Congratulations to all our teams who played in Grand FInals last weekend!

Bom, Bom, Bom, Bom….!