The North West Country Lightning boys’ and girls’ teams have qualified for the state under-17s hockey championships semi-finals in Bendigo today.
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It’s the first time either team has reached the semis in the three-year history of the G.J. Gardner Homes junior championships.
The North West teams feature players from Hockey Central Victoria, Kerang, North Central, Wimmera, Sunraysia, Gouburn Valley and Maryborough hockey associations.
The Lightning girls are undefeated ahead of today’s clash with the Knights at 10.40am at HCV’s Ashley Street complex.
The girls opened their tournament with two wins on Sunday – 1-0 against Eastern Metro Hotshots and 2-1 over the Central Metro Flames.
Yesterday’s 1-0 win against Western Metro Wildcats was followed by a 3-0 triumph over the Southern Metro Sharks.
The North West Lightning boys’ team is the only country boys team qualified for the semi-finals.
The Lightning boys won their opening match, 2-1 against Central Metro on Sunday morning, before a 3-1 victory against South East Country Cougars in the afternoon.
A 1-0 win over North East Country Knights yesterday morning was followed by a 3-1 loss to Eastern Metro Hotshots in the late game.
Despite the defeat, Lightning is in this morning’s semi-final clash with Western Wildcats at 8.30am.
The final of the boy’s competition begins at 1.15pm today, followed by the girls’ final at 3.15pm.