Minkey
Birchip-Watchem’s final game of Minkey hockey was played for the season against Donald. This created added excitement for all involved, including the large number of engaged spectators. 
The Birchip-Watchem Hooked In2 Hockey program was very popular finishing up a few weeks ago. Subsequently a number of children have stepped up with their new hockey skills to join the Bulls Minkey teams for Saturday hockey fun, and the eager young guns were bees to a honey pot with enthusiasm second to none.
The enthusiasm has created a plethora of numbers enabling Birchip-Watchem to fill three Minkey teams and still share players to assist the opposition, which was the case on Saturday with Donald. 
Kudos to Minkey coach, Julie McClelland as enormous growth in skills – trapping, pushing and dribbling – was demonstrated by the older children, who will be moving up to under-12s next season. Also a big thank you to parents and juniors, who have stepped up to help Julie and the club with coaching and umpiring. 
Minkey hockey provides such a great opportunity for children to be involved in team sport in an inclusive 
environment. This positive energy was demonstrated in front of the large crowd when the final cheers for the season were made, and the healthy post-game energy replenishment options were handed out! 
Under-12s Hockey
The Bulls hockey under-12s went into the game against Donald hoping to secure a second chance in the final series. And that they did. 
The Donald players defended tirelessly all game but couldn’t match the dominant Bulls attack.
Jakoby Sayyers played one of his best games of the season, playing as an inner with dynamic attacking moves and managed to hit the back of the net in the second half.
The usual attacking suspects, Denley Tyler and Oscar Sharp, demonstrated their natural goal sense, also scoring two goals each.  Milla Haslam also had a great day out and Jude McLoughlan, who put up his hand to try the goalie position, which was excellent to see.
Final scores were Bulls 5, Donald 0. Best Birchip-Watchem: Milla Haslam (Sharp’s Bakery), Oscar Sharp (Fiona Best & Lobe Candy), Jakoby Saggers (TMC Enviro). 
Best Donald: Isaiah Stirling, Sadie Bourke (B-W).
Underage
The Birchip-Watchem underage team put up a spirited performance against third placed Donald in a high scoring match in their final game of the season.
Oakley Brennan had a day out for the Royal Blues, scoring 6 of their seven goals, with Sophie Burke chipping in for the final goal. The Bulls’ goals were shared around, with Lana Angel, Sadidas Gardiner-Paikea and Frances McClelland all scoring 1 each.
Donald enjoyed having a practice run on the Birchip-Watchem field and will be well placed to achieve a good result on Saturday against Boort in the first semi-final.
Awards for Birchip-Watchem: Jed Coffey (O’Connors), Des Coffey (Birchip Hardware) and Garth Kilroy (Andy & Sarah Barber). 
Best Donald: Oakley Brennan, Nakyra Clapham, Sophie Burke.