Grand Final 29/2/2016: Powerhouse 2 v 3 Maccabi (Suss 2, Levy)

The Maccabi Vets have beaten the odds to win the 2015/16 premiership. Their opponent, the Powerhouse Saints went into the game undefeated in five years, showing their ability and the task ahead for the Thunderducks.

Maccabi started the game in much the same way the played last week, right on the attack and in total control. Damien Suss continued his form from last week’s semi final owning the midfield along side Harley Cohen and Gary Beville. It was Suss who opened the scoring with with a run that took him past two defenders before placing the ball underneath the advancing keeper. It was just reward for the dominance that Maccabi had held.

However, being the dominant team that they have been over the years, Powerhouse were always likely to get back into the game. Their first chance of the match brought the scores level when a short corner was scrambled over the line despite the efforts of Roma Fridkin in goal.

Through Dave Birnbaum, the Thunderducks reclaimed total control of the match from here on. Birnbaum thwarted every Powerhouse counter attack and his distribution continually kept the Saints locked inside their own 25.

Maccabi deservedly retook the lead just before the break when Peter Rubinstein released Eyal Geiger down the right wing. Geiger ran 30 meters before delivering to Suss who scored his second diving goal of the game

It was more of the same after the break. Maccabi in control of possession, The Saints working on the counter attack. Maccabi’s third goal came from Dave Birnbaum’s vision; a 30 meter pass to the leading Geiger, his deft deflection saw the ball land on the stick of Wayne Levy. Levy cooly dispatched the goal and at 3-1 it was going to be difficult for Powerhouse to get back into it

With time running out, and a stellar performance from Maccabi, the Saints had one more trick up their sleeve. A brilliant solo goal with a back stick finish made for a nervy final couple of minutes.

Seconds later, the final whistle announced that the Maccabi Thunderducks had for the first time dethrowned Powerhouse and claim the long awaited Summer premiership

 

Semi Final 22/2/2016: MHSOB 4 v 7 Maccabi (Levy 2, Grunfeld 2, Suss)

 

Rd 9 8/2/2016: Maccabi 8 v 0 Elwood (Levy 5, Geiger 2, Kanevsky)