The WA Thundersticks have thumped hosts Canberra 9-1 in a lesson of fast, flowing attacking hockey in the men’s AHL competition.

With all teams fighting for positions in the playoffs, goal difference may be important and WA did their campaign no harm with this result.

From the opening whistle, the local team had no time to settle and conceded two early goals to the rampaging WA forward line led by Chris Bausor and WAIS athlete Trent Mitton.

The ACT struggled to make any impression on their opposition. Hesitant and indecisive in defence, they turned the ball over in midfield too often, conceding territory and possession. Shortly after, another ACT error after more ruthless WA pressure saw Tim Bates continue his good form when he converted a penalty corner in the 11th minute.

ACT settled, but with Craig Boyne, Andrew Jacobs and Grant Schubert also playing superbly up front, it was only a matter of time before more goals were conceded and Brent Dancer (WAIS) obliged with a penalty corner just before half time. The second half started in a similar fashion, with WA picking a fifth goal in the first 30 seconds to Alistair Park.

ACT tried to get back into the game and were rewarded when Kenji Hinde finished off a good move to make the score 5-1. A focused and determined Thundersticks responded immediately with three goals in the next ten minutes, including a field goal to Craig Boyne and penalty stroke to Chris Bausor to give him his second for the game. A sweeping move between Bates, Mitton and captain Kiel Brown (WAIS) ended successfully for WA when the ball fell nicely to Bates who finished off with a well-taken field goal.

Boyne scored his second for the match in the final few seconds to give WA a commanding 9-1 victory over a lackluster ACT.

- Hockey Australia