The Goulburn Valley Hockey Association open men’s team marked its return to the Senior Country Championships by sweeping the field and adding another title to the league’s haul in 2025.

After missing the 2024 competition, the GVHA clinched a long-awaited title in Monday’s gold medal match against Hockey Central Victoria at Bendigo Hockey Centre.

The finale proved a dour one early as the grim weekend weather took hold, but both Adrian Abrahams and Xavier McBain found the back of the net to break the deadlock, spurred by prominent performances from Nathan McBain and Ryan Mackenzie.

A swathe of the league’s young guns provided plenty of run and dash in the 2-0 win, much to the appreciation of leading goal-scorer and GVHA stalwart Xavier McBain.

“We were lucky enough to get a few good plays with our younger boys like Luke Greig, Nathan Greig, Angus Cole,” he said.

“Adrian got on the end of one, which was fantastic. Nathan McBain did a great job and Ryan Mackenzie provided good run and ball movement down front and back.

“Our contest work was really good; we didn’t let them win any easy balls.

“We were able to crowd them and put together a good game.”

The GVHA finished the tournament unblemished, resting on top of the Pool A ladder after wins against Sunraysia (4-0) and North Central (7-1) and a 3-3 draw against Central Victoria.

The 18-strong maroon contingent then toppled East Gippsland 3-0 in the semi-final to set up a rematch against Central Victoria.

After not fielding a team last year, to come back and win the competition was an appropriate reward for effort, according to McBain.

“This year was fantastic being in Bendigo, another regional location,” he said.

“It was a positive experience for everyone; the weather wasn’t the best, but we made the best of it.

“It’s been a long time since we actually took it out. It was a fantastic effort for the boys to get down to training and then put together this performance over the weekend.”

The GVHA was well-represented over the King’s Birthday weekend, not just in sending four teams to the SCC, but also on the podium.

After securing an early win, the Masters women followed up with two draws, but still proceeded to a preliminary final bout with Hockey Central Victoria where, despite Kerry Gannon’s strike on goal, they fell 3-1.

Instead, the GVHA faced Geelong in the third-place playoff, securing a hard-earned bronze medal after a tense 0-0 draw in tough conditions.

The senior women overcame a slow start to their campaign, showcasing an attacking brand of hockey by upending Sunraysia (3-1) and Maryborough (2-0) after two losses to begin.

A draw against North-West Lightning scuppered the GVHA’s chances of progressing, finishing with a 0-0 result against East Gippsland.

The Masters men, affectionately titled ‘Motor’s Misfits’ in reference to the late Andrew Younger, tallied two wins, two losses and a rain-enforced draw in a competitive outing for the GVHA’s most experienced outfit.

The GVHA was also represented in the umpiring department, with Michael Neilsen, Neil Hall and Kim Starkey officiating games.

Neilsen also saw ample reward for all the time and effort perfecting his craft by being chosen to umpire the men’s gold medal match.

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Wednesday, 28th May 2025

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