By Tara Murray
Hume’s season is over after it was knocked out of the Hockey Victoria Winter competition men’s pennant G.
The Highlanders knew they had a tough task against RMIT in Saturday’s preliminary final and it proved just that.
While the Highlanders defence stood strong in the first half, it couldn’t hold off RMIT in the second.
RMIT went on to win 3-1.
Highlanders’ Hayden Whitten said they were outplayed.
“To be honest, it was how we expected the match to go,” he said.
“They are a good team and well structured and we were outplayed.
“We got the first goal early in the first half, with scores 1-1 at half-time.
“RMIT had six short corners in a row which is almost unheard of, but didn’t score off any of them.
“They attacked harder in the second half and were able to score another two goals.”
The Highlanders chances weren’t helped with one of their defenders rushed to hospital with a hand injury and a key forward missing the game because of illness.
Despite the result, Whitten said they were thrilled with their performance in just their second season.
Having won a lower grade premiership last season, this was Hume’s first finals loss in five attempts.
“Making finals was the goal for us and we were happy with anything after that,” Whitten said.
“We had a solid win against Footscray [in the semi-final].
“We’re already looking forward to next year. Most of the talk after the game was about team structures and what we can do next year.”
As well as the men’s top team making a preliminary final, the women’s side made finals in its first year.
Whitten said everything was going well both on and off field.
“There’s been a lot of good feedback from the community,” he said.
“Families are coming down to watch and have been giving such positive support.
“It has been brilliant.”
