Kayla Sharland shines as South Australia defeat New South Wales Arrows, 1-0: Hockey News
Kayla Sharland, Manawatu based, one of the Kiwi players who participated in the recently concluded Women’s Australian Hockey League (AHL), played a major contribution in guiding South Australia to their first ever title victory in the Women’s
AHL. South Australia defeated New South Wales Arrows which was stuffed by national players, by 1-0 in the final.
In fact, South Australia has achieved a mighty feat by winning the first ever women’s final since 1995 and more importantly the team has provided a number of players at a higher level.
The South Australia also defeated top class sides like Queensland and Western Australia, while they played a drawn game against Victoria in the round matches, but had to face a defeat against New South Wales Arrows at the early stages of the league. The
Kiwis, including mid-fielder, Melody Rowe, who has been captaining the side since 2008, heightened the young South Australia side so such an extent that they played beyond their abilities and skills.
Kayla Sharland was awarded the player of the match in the final. The drag-flicker Clarissa Eshuis was another Kiwi player who played for Southern Side (South Australia) in the league.
Melody Rowe, who married to the 36-year-old David Cooper, a former Jets and Adelaide basketball player, will also be back to take part in the national league which will commence by the end of next month. She is currently living in Adelaide and plays for
Seacliff club, but in the national league she will represent Central Mysticks. The veteran Kiwi mid-fielder, Rowe, last represented Mysticks and the national side in 2007.
Melody Rowe has been remained an important player in Manawatu Emeralds team and also played a major part in its victory in national league in 2004. The seasoned mid-fielder had represented the national side at the age of 17 when she was still a student at
Palmerston North Girls’ High School and during the same period she was also the Manawatu secondary schools sportsperson of the year. She also had played for High School Hockey Club, later on.
Meanwhile, Kayla Sharland will join the national Black Sticks Women’s side in Germany which is there to take part in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament going to be played in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Emily Naylor, her fellow team-mate from Manawatu, who
is living recently in Hague, will also join the side in Germany.
Tags: