HOCKEY
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WANDERERS’ strong performance so far in 2016 has Orange drag-flick specialist Adam Hurford brimming with confidence leading into this weekend’s 2016 Hockey NSW Open Men’s State Championship, considering the bulk of the side is plucked straight from the Premier League Hockey (PLH) unit.
Nigh on the entire 15-strong group are regulars for the third-placed Wanderers and those who aren’t have PLH experience anyway, for Lithgow Panthers in Nic Milne’s case.
Milne headlines Orange’s squad alongside Hurford, Daryl Kennewell, Adam and Luke Skelton, Michael Dillon and James Shakeshaft.
“[Dillon and Shakeshaft] have been on fire for Wanderers in the mid-field too while young guns like Tom Reddan, Henry Jones, Mac Reith-Snare and Connor Morris are all stepping up this year,” Hurford said.
“It’s a real mix of youth and experience, which is good because there is a number of regular faces missing.
“Wanderers doing so well certainly instils some confidence and a bit of toughness, especially into the younger guys who haven’t played at this level yet.”
Orange will front-up against Northern Sydney and Beaches, Wagga Wagga, North West Sydney and Metro South West in pool B of division two in a bid to qualify for the cross-over finals, where promotion to the top division is on the line.
“It’ll be a very tough pool, but we’re hoping for semi-finals and finals,” Hurford said.
“The Sydney sides in particular are a bit of an unknown, but we’re confident we can win those games and hopefully get a start in division one next year.
“The biggest focus for us as a side is to show that the country boys can play the game and be competitive, tough and successful at this level, and have a bit of fun while we do it.
“With Daryl Kennewell in the side that’s a sure thing though.”
Orange opens its campaign at Moorebank against North West Sydney on Saturday morning and takes on Northern Sydney and Beaches that afternoon before the preliminary games finish on Sunday.
The finals will all be played on Monday.
ORANGE: Adam Hurford, Daryl Kennewell, Nic Milne, Tom Reddan, Keegan Brooke, Connor Morris, Henry Jones, Adam Skelton, Luke Skelton, Michael Dillon, James Shakeshaft, Mac Reith-Snare, Mitch Vennard, Scott Hanrahan, Adam Hukins
