Upper Great Southern Hockey Association win men’s masters country championships title

Upper Great Southern Hockey Association made it a CBH Group Men’s Country Championships masters double after the men’s side clinched the premiership in Perth on Sunday, following the women’s triumph on June 16. They conceded just one goal across their four group stage games before squaring off with Geraldton in the decider and securing a stunning 2-0 victory. Their campaign began with a dominant 5-1 victory over Busselton on Saturday before a brutal 3-0 win over Eastern Districts. They dropped their first points against Esperance after settling for a nil-all draw, before defeating Geraldton and WA Country 2-0 to book their spot in the grand final. In division one, UGSHA’s top side fell agonisingly short of a heroic flag after going down to Bunbury and Districts in the decider after a penalty shootout. Nothing could separate the two after regular time with both teams netting a goal each, but Bunbury and Districts held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties. UGSHA were firmed as favourite after their group stage matches as the only undefeated team, which included a 2-0 victory over their grand final superiors in the tournament’s opening match. Other wins came against Eastern Goldfields and Lower Great Southern Hockey Association but drew with Geraldton to finish top of the division with 10 points. Liam Woodward finished the tournament as the highest goal scorer with seven in five matches.