Redcliffe Leagues' Ian Schulz makes a break through the midfield, chased by
Labrador fullback Adam Byrne. Photo by John Beale.

Redcliffe Leagues halfback James McAlpine is given close attention by Labrador
winger Andrew Ward. Photo by John Beale.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE - Preliminary Final

Redcliffe Leagues 3 (Andrew Newman, Peter Dillon, Shane Kenny) defeated Labrador 2 (Mark Harris, Kane Hancock) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Redcliffe Leagues qualified for their first grand final in five years after surviving a barrage of late attacks from Labrador during a preliminary final that stretched into the third period of extra time.  After a nervous opening from both sides, Labrador’s Mark Harris opened the scoring, deflecting the ball into goal after ten minutes.  Two goals in five minutes, to Peter Dillon and Andrew Newman, gave Redcliffe Leagues a 2-1 lead at halftime.  Two minutes after having a penalty appeal ignored, Labrador drew level from a stroke conversion by Kane Hancock, awarded after Grant Smith’s shot struck the foot of Nick Budd with the Redcliffe Leagues goal box unattended.  With neither team able to find the net during the first two extra time drop-off periods, the game ended as a five-on-five contest.  The Redmen survived five penalty corners in extra time, including outstretched goalkeeper Daniel Pink tipping out a goal-bound shot.  With a penalty shootout looming, the ball got stuck under the foot of Labrador goalkeeper Tyrone Melrose as he tried to clear Dillon’s pass, intended for Matt Swann lurking near the net.  Shane Kenny picked up the scraps to score and book the baysiders a grand final appointment with Commercial, who are shooting for their fourth straight premiership.  The Redmen hold a 3-1 advantage from four previous grand final meetings with Commercial, winning in 1966, 1971 and 1989, with the Cobras victorious in 2004 – Lee Oliver and Nicholas Bolton.

Redcliffe Leagues goalkeeper Daniel Pink sees a shot over the crossbar from a
penalty corner. Photo by John Beale.

Redcliffe Leagues midfielder Peter Dillon gets a pass away as Labrador's Kane
Hancock applies the pressure. Photo by John Beale.

Kane Hancock beats Redcliffe Leagues goalkeeper Daniel Pink from the penalty spot.
Photo by John Beale.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.