Hockey: Wells’ sensational debut

Rockingham Redbacks travelled to the Perth Hockey Stadium to play North Coast Raiders and came away with a 5-0 win.

The game saw two imported players debut for the Redbacks — Nick Gerrard and Matt Wells — with both slotting in well.

Wells made the most of his chances, scoring a hat-trick.

The first two goals came from short corners, and the third from a deflection.

Matt Martin showed his superior skill and strength over the ball when he weaved his way through several players to drive into the circle, where he capped his efforts off with a goal.

But the goal of the day belonged to Tom Hunter.

He received the ball in the circle and was forced onto his reverse side, but was able to tomahawk the ball high in the back of the net, giving the ’keeper no chance.

Despite the scoreline, Rockingham didn’t play as well as they have done in the past three games, even after some halftime words from coach Michael Nobbs.

They dominated the second half, but were unable to score again.

The Raiders got in a couple of shots, but ’keeper Lachlan McDonald, who hardly touched the ball in the first half, made brilliant saves to deny them.

One of the highlights of the season so far i s that Rockingham has been able to introduce four U17 players to the team.

Brody Capewell, Jake Williams and Brandin Phillips have all made appearances, and Tom Leaver was given a run at the weekend. All had great debuts.

The Redbacks Men 2s beat NC Raiders 4-1.

The Redbacks played a solid game, penetrating the Raiders’ defence on a number of occasions and earning short corners.

At the 15-minute mark, Jake Williams had to leave the field after getting hit in the head, which caused a wound requiring eight stitches.

His absence for the rest of the game put the side off balance and the Raiders applied pressure and earned a goal, ending the first half 1-0 to the Raiders.

The Redbacks fought back in the second half, winning a number of short corners, and on 17 minutes scored from a well-executed short corner, with Clayton Phillips driving the ball to a waiting Tom Leaver, who deflected it into the net.

Soon after, from a scramble in the D, Jordan Barrodean lifted the ball over the ’keeper’s pads to net.

The game was finished off with goals from Clayton Phillips and Marc Foley.

Coach Edny Vanden Broek praised the players for their intensity in the second half.