25th Annual Honeycombes Hacker’s Cup

On Saturday 19 October, Lower Burdekin Hockey hosted their annual Hacker’s Cup at the Burdekin Junior Rugby League Fields, the former base of Burdekin Hockey.  The carnival was first held in 1998 with a view to introducing novice players, or ‘hackers’ to the game of hockey.  With no carnivals held in 2018 or 2020, this year was the 25th time the carnival has been run.  The competitors included our current indoor players, annual Hacker’s competitors, returning hockey players and a range of ‘hackers’ for our Silver Hacker’s Cup Jubilee.

Despite a number of pleasantly windy days during the week, Saturday turned on the humidity and up the heat, with 62 players in 8 teams slogging it out for a minimum of 6 games per team.  The 5-a-side competition saw the strategic use of subs to mitigate the high temperatures.  The grass fields add an extra degree of difficulty, with a very different set of skills put to use. The morning games are used to develop two pools, which then play for trophies in two division in the afternoon session.

The B Division Final was a contest between Mixed Nuts and Mighty Ducks. With the game tied at full time 1-1, the game proceeded into sudden death extra time, with each team ‘dropping’ a player to play 4 v 4.  This segment of play saw Rory Widderick score the winning goal for Mixed Nuts in the first thirty seconds.  Standout players in this game were Corin Widderick for Mixed Nuts, and Reece Twight for Mighty Ducks.

The A Division final was a repeat of this year’s indoor hockey final, with Thunder once again facing off against Rum Pigs.  Both teams were strong in defence, with attackers having to make their own opportunities in the circle.  Rum Pigs came away the victors 4-1, with goals scored by Sam, Brendan, Mark and Allyce for Rum Pigs, and Rene scoring for Thunder.  Players of the final were Derette Wheeler for Thunder and Mark Nicolaides for Rum Pigs.
 
Our best and fairest awardees this year perfectly capture the range of players that Hacker’s Cup is suitable for.   Rory Widderick is a first-time player, and was awarded Male Best and Fairest.  Kazzia Lammon has been playing hockey since she was very young, and has had the opportunity to play in Australian U21 squads.  She was awarded our Female Best and Fairest.

The player who best epitomises the Hacker’s Cup spirit or friendly competition is awarded our Spirit of the Carnival Award.  The award was introduced in 2015 to honour life member David ‘Darcy’ Duggan, who was a tireless contributor to Burdekin Hockey.  This year’s recipient was Matthew Gardner.

With players not allowed to score two goals in succession, high individual scoring for the day is very difficult.  There are always a few goal hogs among the players, and Westley Darwen this year managed to score 6 individual goals, one more than his closest competition.

Contributed with thanks to Deanne Ruge.

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A Division winning team, Rum Pigs.
Mixed Nuts celebrated as the B Division winning team.
Westley Darwen was awarded the Goal Hog title.
Best and Fairest Male, Rory Widderick.
The Spirit of Carnival award went to Matthew Gardner.
Best and Fairest Male Rory Widderick against Best and Fairest Female Kazzia Lammon.
Mixed Nuts and Thunder going head to head.
Pixel Prowlers clashed against Mighty Ducks!
Evil Minions clashing with Rum Pigs.
Honeycombes VS Mighty Ducks.
Giving it their all! Rum Pigs VS Pixel Prowlers.
The final clash!

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