THE Wagin Men's Hockey Club hosted last years premier's Warriors at Matera Oval on Saturday. With the weather fine and both teams having a history of fiery encounters, the scene was set for a blockbuster game.
Warriors, who were third on the ladder and three games behind Wagin, were desperate to win to get themselves into the top two and get the double chance.
Wagin was trying to deny them and finish the season as the minor premier.
Wagin welcomed back a few familiar faces, with Xavier White and Tim Weaver both coming back into the side after three weeks away.
It was also great to see Kevin Beard at the game, as he has been away from the club for eight weeks with shattered fingers.
Wagin started the game strongly and full of run, setting the pace of the game.
They had the first few shots on goal but were unable to score due some great defensive work from Warriors.
Wagin finally broke through with Dale Lloyd scoring a great goal.
The ball was risen into the D from a defender's stick and Lloyd calmly brought it down into his control only to see another defender try to hit the ball away from him, but instead hitting it into his own goal.
The game stayed at 1-0 at half-time with Wagin making all the play.
Warriors could see their top two chances slipping away and came out with renewed vigour in the second half.
They were rewarded with an equalising goal 10 minutes in, after a shot was deflected into a Wagin player's foot and into the goal, leaving goalie Shane Bliss no hope of even seeing the ball.
Warriors then had another short corner attempt, but Dwight Kellow intercepted the pass and sent it of to Ben Hodge who ran the ball up the field and scored a brilliant solo goal.
This took the sting out of Warriors a bit and they started arguing with each other and even resorted to one player throwing his stick at a Wagin player.
Wagin though to their credit, wouldn't get sucked into childish tactics and went on to hold them out, winning the game 2-1.
Everyone from the Wagin team played their part in a great display of team work.
Ben Hodge again proved he was one of the best players in the competition, along with Paul Ward, who played the game out with broken ribs and did some special things.
Tim Weaver, Brenden Hall and Kim Hough had outstanding games and so did Shane Bliss in the goals, many times pulling of great saves.
Umpire's best were Ben Hodge, Kim Hough and Paul Ward.
Goalscorers were Dale Lloyd 1 and Ben Hodge 1.
Wagin has now guaranteed its place in the top two but still have work to do with two games left before the finals.
A win this week versus Williams would give Wagin the minor premiership.
This week's game is in Williams on Saturday at 1.30pm.
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