The Geckos had lost their last two games and the win still keeps them in with a good chance for a semi final spot.

The Geckos started strongly and were camped in the Vikings half but after five minutes Vikings cleared the ball up field and earned a free hit just outside the Geckos circle.

From the free hit a pass found Dave Major who hammered a great tomahawk shot high into the net for the Vikings to lead one goal to nil.

Ten minutes the Geckos drew level when Aaron Kershaw converted a penalty corner with a low hard flick.

The Geckos kept pressing forward and in a five minute period had four penalty corners but failed to convert because of two great saves from goalkeeper James Lawrence and good team defensive work.

At the 20 minute mark Goulburn took a two goals to one lead, when Steve Downey ran the backline and passed back to Jake Staines, who pushed the ball past the keeper.

Then at 23 minutes Todd Devlin and Steve Downey combined to set up Daniel Fleming to score. The Geckos lead was extended to three goals to one.

Vikings keeper James Lawrence made two fine saves, one from a penalty corner and another from a hard drive from Dean Robertson.

Just before halftime Steve Downey scored when he picked up a rebound from a penalty corner, taking Goulburn to the break with a lead of four goals to one.

In the second half opening minutes Goulburn were awarded two penalty corners both saved again by James Lawrence. At 40 minutes Vikings were making more inroads into Goulburn’s circle and had two good chances to score, but were denied because of a fine save from Jason Brayshaw and another went wide of the goal.

At the 47th minute mark Goulburn went to a five goal to one lead, when Daniel Fleming scored from a penalty corner variation.

Then in the 55th minute Goulburn looked like going further ahead when they were awarded a penalty stroke, but the shot went wide. In the final 10 minutes to their credit Vikings played their best hockey when Dave Harley scored after a great team effort.

The Vikings were then denied a third goal, with a great penalty corner save from Jason Brayshaw. The full time score was Goulburn Geckos five goals to Tuggeranong Vikings two. Best for Geckos were Dean Robertson and Blake Robertson in defence and Daniel Fleming and Steve Downey in attack. Best for Vikings Man of the Match performance from GK James Lawrence who made many great saves and Blake Coles who was great in defence.

Special mention to the young Vikings players who all played well. Both men’s and women’s teams are at home this Saturday afternoon starting with the men at 2.30pm and the women at 4pm against United. Don’t forget the National Cancer Research Foundation fundraiser, pink Capital League shirt auction at 12.30pm.

Breast cancer research fundraiser

On Saturday Goulburn Hockey Association is conducting its first National Breast Cancer Research Foundation fundraiser in association with Hockey ACT’s Chris MacKinnon Memorial Weekend the following week.

The fundraiser for National Breast Cancer Research Foundation will be run as an auction of specially designed team shirts in the foundation colours. The shirts to be auctioned off are special shirts that will be worn by the Goulburn Men’s and Women’s Capital League teams during their games on August 8 and 15.

The Association expects a keen interest in the current international player Glenn Turner’s shirt as well as those of the many very talented Men’s team he is part of.

he Women’s team headed by Captain Marlene Gulson and the rising talent in this team will also raise some real interest as will the shirt of former Hockeyroo Bianca Broadhurst (nee Netzler). The auction is set down for 12.30pm Saturday, August 1, at the Hockey Centre.

The Association is urging local businesses to support the auction as well as the local sporting community.

The Association will be running this in conjunction with Hockey ACT’s Chris MacKinnon Memorial Weekend on August 8-9.

The Chris MacKinnon Memorial Weekend was first introduced in 2013 after the passing of Chris MacKinnon who was a dedicated, well known and loved member of the hockey community. Chris’s husband John and their three children are still active members of the hockey community.

This weekend is to support and raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Research Foundation (NBCF).

This weekend is about paying our respect to those past and present suffering from Breast Cancer.

The weekend will showcase all competition grades and is also accompanied by fundraising events, pink uniforms and 100 per cent of the money raised will go directly to the NBCF through our fundraising event ID number: 1688097.

Come along this Saturday and show your support for the NBCF and enjoy watching some hockey games as well as bidding on one or more of the men’s and women’s uniforms. Auction time is 12.30pm. T