Tamworth women's hockey: Olympians and Tudors play out 2-all draw

The National Development squad member turned out for Tudor Wests and scored both of their goals as they drew with Olympians 2-all.

It was the 23-year old's first club game in Tamworth for about five years. She was one of a couple of notable inclusions with last year's first grade best and fairest, Claudia Nielsen, lining up for Olympians.

READ ALSO:

The draw continued a trend of close results between the two sides this season with no more than a goal separating them in their previous encounters, of which Tudors have had the better.

Tudors coach Helen Willis said particularly the young players were inspired playing with Arnott.

"They had a ball, they were amazed at her skills," she said.

With a couple of key players out, including daughter Sarah, she played her in the midfield rather than up front as she customarily does.

"Because we were missing Sarah we needed that structure in the midfield," she said.

She still managed to do some damage on the scoreboard scoring a couple of "cracking goals" as Olympians coach Steve Littlehohns described them.

Willis was happy with what she saw from her side.

"I thought we played some good structured hockey," she said.

"We were probably a bit impatient sometimes coming out of defence, we were trying to get the ball forward early rather than hold the ball."

"But on the whole we got some good stretch and got in behind their defence quite a few times."

She thought young quartet Makenna Barnett-Suey, Mackenzie Scott, Molly Collett and Lauren Vella - really stood up. All four are either 14 or 15, and have been whenever they are available backing up for first grade.

Littlejohns expressed similar sentiments to Willis about the way his side played.

"I thought they played well," he said.

"Again their defence was solid, and their passing in attack was good as well."

He was also pleased with the way some of the younger players stood up and weren't intimidated by playing someone of Arnott's calibre.

He said they had their opportunities to win, missing a couple of good chances including a stroke.

The point from the draw though keeps their finals hopes alive, drawing them level with Waratahs on 12 points after the premiers went down to Flames 2-nil.

In the other game, Services beat South United 3-2 to leapfrog them into second.

TABLE: Flames 28, Services 16, South United 15, Waratahs 12 (-17 goal difference), Olympians 12 (-18 goal difference), Tudor Wests 7.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: