Illawarra hockey players played a big part in their NSW state's third placing in the Australian Hockey League that finished last Sunday in Perth.
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The Govers brothers, Kieren and Blake were amongst the leading scorers in the NSW Waratahs team that again took the bronze medal from last year.
The other Illawarra players in the team were current Kookaburra Tristan White and Jack Hayes, Illawarra hockey player of the year.
The Waratahs just missed out on the final last Friday when they needed to beat Victoria by three goals in the semi final but drew 4-4 in a thrilling match.
It was Kieren Govers who put them ahead early in a see-sawing battle that saw Blake Govers take them to a 4-3 lead, only for the Victorians to level terms in the last quarter of the game.
Jack Hayes said it was a week of missed opportunities.
“Very questionable umpiring in the Victorian game cost us the win without a doubt,” Hayes said.
Tristan White was also disappointed not to make the final, saying the team had some solid performances but fell short in the key games.
The Waratahs beat the ACT 3-0 in their opening game and later beating the Indian junior team 1-0 with the winner coming from Blake Govers.
NSW made it to the semi-final round beating the Northern Territory 2-0 with goals coming from the Govers brothers again.
Victoria won the title beating Queensland on a penalty shoot-out with the Waratahs in third place beating the Indians again 4-2 in the play off.
This week Blake Govers returns to the Australian team in the Oceania Cup taking place in Sydney.