CHATHAM Wolves will look to continue their winning ways in tomorrow’s round of Manning division one men’s hockey at Taree Recreation Centre.
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The Wolves will meet at youthful Taking Point Thunder at 4.30 with Taree Tigers taking on Wingham/Sharks (Bull Sharks) at 6pm.
Thunder's defence will be tested by Chatham’s strike power. Veteran defenders Jarred Smith and Andrew Meldrum will have to be at their best for Thunder to slow down and frustrate Chatham’s forwards and cause turnovers. Young midfielder, Ryan Payne, who has been in good form for Thunder, will be tested when he and Bryce Philpott lock horns against the Wolves midfield, led by Matt Doherty.
Doherty gets great support from Sam Ferguson and Wade Harry who have the peed and ability to break the defence.
However it's Chatham's defence that makes them so formidable. The Wolves will welcome back Eamon Smith in goals and Bryce Hough.
Hough along with Hal Phillips, Matt Dean and Kegeon Jobson make it tough to get any scoring chances against the Wolves.
Chatham captain Adam Birkefeld along with Luke Hough and Wade Harry can play in any position, whether it's up front in the forward line, the midfield or deep in defence.
Thunder will have to be at their very best and they will hope that they catch Chatham on a bad day.
The Bull Sharks will need to bounce back from the mauling the received from the Wolves last week when they tackle Tigers. Both teams have been inconsistent although neither has been at full strength.
Tigers hope the return of Bailey Pitman will spark their under-performing forward line.
When Pitman has played this season Tigers have been more aggressive and dangerous up front. Matt Pullen has been among Tigers best this year and he anchors the defence. Brad Mitchell, Tim Lestrange and Tajh Boyd work hard with him. The Bull Sharks will be looking to Jordyn Greenaway to lead the attack. He will be well supported by Cooper Frasier, John Gudgeon and Kurt Walters.
Harry Wallis returns for the Bull Sharks and will be aided by Lachie Cross, skipper Ben Brown and Matthew Parvin. They will be pitted against the Tigers midfield of Blake McIntosh, Robert Fish and Kye Lewis.
The Bull Sharks defenders Nathan Fuller, Jarred Muller and young Ryan Hudson cannot afford as many turnovers as they gave e Tigers in their last match. Stephen and Aaron George are skilled and fast strikers for Tigers and the Bull Sharks will have to watch them closely. Mitchell Watson is very good at scoring from broken play for Tigers.
Tigers and the Bull Sharks both need to kick start their season with a win, although Tigers will have the edge in experience.