The Gloucester Panthers made up for last weeks defeat to great effect this week against the Taree Tigers Leagues Club in the Manning Valley hockey competition.
Although down a few players, they still played a tight passing game. Although it was a slower game, the team played well to keep the ball out of Tigers possession. Dale Tonks was the first to strike for the Gloucester team. After being awarded a short corner, Dale was able to capitalise with a slow run out from the defence and make a solid short straight through to the goal.
Although the Tigers could not get themselves within striking distance of the goal, they certainly held a solid defence, in particular, their goalie was solid in chasing every ball off. The Panthers lead into the second half with a 1-0 score line. In the second half, the Panthers kept their good form and within ten minutes, a lead ball from captain, Mark Coombes fed to Harry Moore who made a break down the centre and was faced with a one on one scenario with the goal keeper. Harry was able to pull the ball across the front of the goalie and drag it back into the goal around him in spectacular fashion.
There were several more shots on goal going just wide of the mark until, with ten minutes remaining, Mark was fed a ball to the centre of the shooting circle and got it on the backhand to feed it into the goal around the Tigers keeper. Gloucester were then able to retain their lead for the remainder of the match with a final score of 3-0.
The Panthers have one match against the Chatham Wolves before their bye and round three begins.
They continue to remain at the top of the leaderboard and are in good form to reach the finals.
