OAMPS Scorchers Suffer First Loss

The game of the day lived up to its title as the SmokeFree WA Diamonds went head to head against the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers in the grand final rematch from the last two AHL seasons.

The Diamonds were keen to make amends for their recent losses to the Scorchers and came out firing.

The first few minutes saw Queensland in attack but an early turnover gave WA a chance to send the ball quickly to their circle. Emily Halliday then converted via a penalty corner.

Soon after Hope Munro received a fast ball in front of the goalie and she pushed it past her for WA's second goal to set up a commanding lead.

In the 29th minute Queensland worked a penalty after a momentary lapse in WA's solid defence thanks to Wendy Beattie.

In the second half the game see-sawed and Queensland sent the ball through to their forwards repeatedly. Kobie McGurk, Shayni Buswell and the calm Halliday repelled everything that came at them.

Luck was not on the Scorchers side tonight. At one point a shot struck by Shelly Liddelow deflected and hit Angie Lambert in the face and she was forced to come off temporarily. Next a high clear shot from Nikki Hudson was saved acrobatically by Penny Richardson.

Kim Walker was superb in the middle for WA and worked over time to construct play as well as defend. Madonna Blyth and Marnie Hudson worked similarly for the Scorchers.

The game was exciting from start to finish with the result leaving NSW, WA and Queensland on equal points with the probability that goal difference will decide first place on the AHL ladder.