LGSHA 2025: Leiper’s double strike helps Spencer Park to second victory in new men’s A-grade competition

Spencer Park continued their winning ways with a 3-1 triumph over North Albany in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association Retravision men’s A-grade competition in Albany on Saturday. They registered their second victory courtesy of two goals from striker James Leiper and one from B-grade regular Tim Rowatt. Redbacks were trailing 2-0 when Lawson Terpstra pulled one back at a penalty corner just before half-time, but Spencer Park took control with their third strike after the major break to secure the points. Darren Parkes, Joe Robinson and Finlay Robertson played key roles for the winners while Redbacks’ best were Samuel Marsh, Ben Talbot and Astyn Temby. Ben Castlehow’s effort for Mt Barker was not enough as visitors Manypeaks won 2-1 at Mt Barker in the other men’s contest. Mitch Bradbury and Campbell Mayne scored for Peaks with Mayne, Jack Mills and Hayden Mills superb for the visitors. The top performers for Mt Barker were Aaron Downham, Nic Slade and Oliver Ritchie. In the women’s A-grade competition, a hat-trick from Kathryn Slattery got Manypeaks’ season up and running against Mt Barker after a round one loss to North Albany. Slattery notched the lot in a 3-0 win and was a top performer, along with Georgia Stephenson and Hallee Collard. Renae Parsons, Olivia Riggall and Bree Skinner played well for Mt Barker. Two goals from Lauren Spinks gave 2024 premiers Spencer Park a 2-1 win over North Albany whose reply came from Grace Bessen. Spinks, Rani Flynn and Tallulah Gouldthorp shone for Park while Bessen, Stella Gordon and Sarah Gallimore were influential for Redbacks. Goals from Jethro Wright, Ryan Bedford and Jonte Eastough gave Mt Barker Black a 3-0 win over club rivals Mt Barker Red in the men’s B-grade competition on Wednesday, May 7. In the other games, five different goal scorers found the net for North Albany as they walloped Vikings 5-1 while Griffins beat Manypeaks 4-2. Spencer Park Light coasted to a 7-1 win over Griffins, Kirby Williams netting four goals in their women’s B-rade encounter on May 10. Vikings Vixens edged out Mt Barker Red 3-2 while Spencer Park Black drew 0-0 with North Albany in the other games