Greater Northern League Round 14 Preview: Gala Day For Gai Cross Round

Round 14 of the Greater Northern League season will celebrate Gai Cross Round, highlighted by a gala day at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre. Every club will be involved in a bumper schedule of GNL action across NCH 1 and NCH 2.

The men’s action gets underway with the South Launceston Suns taking on Burnie Baptist.

Burnie have maintained a perfect record this season, although they have been tested in their past two outings by likely finals rivals South Burnie and Smithton. The ladder leaders have found the answers on both occasions and will be expected to continue their charge towards an unbeaten season.

The Suns, meanwhile, appear to be out of finals contention. They played out a low-scoring 1-1 draw with Tamar Churinga in Round 12 before having the bye last weekend. Burnie claimed a 5-0 victory when the sides met in Round 3.

Next, the Queechy Penguins will face Smithton in a top-four battle carrying significant finals ramifications.

With City Marians sitting just a few points behind in fifth and second-placed South Burnie also within reach, three points will be crucial for both teams as they look to secure a finals berth and push for the double chance that comes with a top-two finish.

Smithton tested ladder leaders Burnie Baptist last weekend but fell 5-3, allowing Queechy to move past them into third place following a 3-0 victory over West Devonport. The Penguins won the previous meeting between the sides 5-2.

West Devonport will attempt to bounce back in the third men’s match of the day as they look to climb off the foot of the ladder. They face another difficult assignment against South Burnie, who defeated them 7-0 in their previous encounter.

South Burnie enter the contest following a comfortable 7-1 victory over Launceston City, with Hayden Davey helping himself to four goals.

City will look to rebound in the final match of the men’s schedule when they take on Tamar Churinga.

With only two points separating the teams in seventh and eighth place, respectively, the result could prove important in shaping a congested battle among the bottom four. Just one win separates sixth from ninth heading into the weekend.

Tamar suffered a 3-1 defeat to City Marians in Round 13, while the previous meeting between City and Tamar was a low-scoring affair, with City prevailing 1-0 in Round 3.

The women’s GNL action begins at 11:00am, with Launceston City facing Tamar Churinga.

City struck a crucial late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw against the South Launceston Suns last weekend, keeping the gap between fourth and fifth at four points. Tamar, meanwhile, fell 3-0 to City Marians. Launceston City won the previous meeting between the teams 3-1.

Next, City Marians will take on Smithton in a rematch of a fixture played just a fortnight ago in a scheduling quirk.

Marians were dominant in that encounter, storming to an 8-0 victory, before following it with a 3-0 win over Tamar Churinga last weekend. Smithton produced an improved performance against second-placed South Burnie but still fell 3-0, leaving a top-four finish looking increasingly unlikely.

That victory saw South Burnie move within three points of the minor premiership. With six wins from their past seven matches, they head into their clash with West Devonport in strong form.

South Burnie gained ground on ladder leaders Queechy last weekend after West Devonport held the Penguins to a 1-1 draw in their best performance of the season. Having sprung one surprise, West Devonport will now look to repeat the feat against another leading contender.

The final match of the day will see the Queechy Penguins attempt to respond to last weekend’s surprise draw when they face the South Launceston Suns.

Despite the setback, Queechy remain unbeaten and sit atop the ladder, presenting a formidable challenge for a Suns outfit currently four points outside the finals places.

The teams have met once this season, with the Penguins prevailing 3-2 in a thriller. They will also meet again in the penultimate round of the season in a month’s time.

Following the GNL action, there will be a pizza and platters function starting from 5:00 pm. This function will be $10pp, payable at the bar on the day.

Round 14 Fixtures

Saturday 25 July, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre

Men

South Launceston Suns v Burnie Baptist, 12:30pm, NHC 1

Queechy Penguins v Smithton, 2:00pm, NHC 1

South Burnie v West Devonport, 3:30pm, NHC 1

Launceston City v Tamar Churinga, 5:00pm, NHC 1

Women

Launceston City v Tamar Churinga, 11:00am, NHC 1

City Marians v Smithton, 12:30pm, NHC 2

South Burnie v West Devonport, 2:00pm, NHC 2

South Launceston v Queechy Penguins, 3:30pm, NHC 2