NT Pearls 0 Victoria Vipers 13 (Utri 7’, 42’, 42’, Brazel 7’, Hurtz 11’, 15’, 44’, 44’, Gravenall 30’, Ratcliffe 30’, 40’, 40’, Hammond 45’), Darwin
The reigning champions have started their title defence emphatically, crushing the Northern Territory Pearls in humid Darwin, racing away to a four-goal quarter-time lead.
Young forward, Aisling Utri, opened the scoring before Hockeyroo, Lily Brazel, converted a seventh minute penalty stroke for the Vipers.
Reigning AHL top scorer, Emily Hurtz, scored a quick-fire double before the opening break, with Hannah Gravenall and Madi Ratcliffe adding further goals before half-time.
After 10 minutes of third quarter resistance, the Victorians piled on the goals with Ratcliffe scoring a converted field goal, along with Utri and Hurtz.
Nicola Hammond rounded out the scoring, making it 13-0 before the final change, although she was denied from her conversion attempt.
NT Stingers 4 (Hullick 2’, Lockley 31’, 31’, Wallin 44’) Victoria Vikings 12 (Scanlon 4’, 9’, 30’, Knee 8’, 10’, 10’, Pollard 10’, 10’, Kleinschmidt 33’, 33’, 54’, Hendry 37’), Darwin
In the men’s competition, the hosts took a shock early lead when Jamie Hullick netted in the second minute, but the Vikings responded quickly and emphatically.
Andrew Scanlon equalised before James Knee made it 2-0. Scanlon added another in the ninth minute, with Knee scoring a converted field goal to make it 5-1.
Moments later Josh Pollard did the same to make it 7-1 at quarter-time.
The second quarter remained scoreless until Scanlon completed his hat-trick right on half-time, but NT hit back in the third when the experienced Adrian Lockley netted a converted field goal.
Kookaburras forward, Aaron Kleinschmidt, responded with his own converted field goal in the 33rd minute to make it 10-3.
Max Hendry (37’) and Kleinschmidt (54’) added further goals to round out a comprehensive win.
Match Reports with thanks to Hockey Australia.
