WARRNAMBOOL College failed to make the intermediate boys’ state hockey final yesterday, despite only conceding one field goal across its three preliminary matches.
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Teacher Mark O’Sullivan said the Bullants won one game and two matches ended in a draw at the School Sport Victoria finals at Melbourne’s State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Two pools of eight played off for the two final spots.
Warrnambool College started its campaign with a nil-all draw against Bairnsdale’s Nagle College.
Bullant Tobin Varley was injured 10 minutes into the game and was taken to hospital with a broken thumb.
O’Sullivan said Varley’s loss hurt Warrnambool College in game two against Balwyn High School.
The game finished in a two-all draw after Balwyn received a penalty stroke after the siren to level the scores.
“We lost his run which made it difficult,” O’Sullivan said of Varley.
“He is a triathlete and open water swimmer, so not only did he miss most of today, he’ll miss triathlons over summer. He has six weeks of no contact sport.”
The Bullants were dominant in round three against Euroa Secondary College, winning 5-0.
Balwyn defeated Nagle to win through to the state final.
O’Sullivan said while Warrnambool College was disappointed to miss the final, particularly having not dropped a game, it was happy it made the final eight.
“In these tournaments you need a bit of luck,” he said.
The school has two more chances to add state hockey crowns to its honour board.
Its intermediate girls play today and its year seven boys next Wednesday.
justine.mc@standard.fairfax.com.au