University's David James gets a pass away.

QUT's Brenton Smalley tackles University's David Nicklin.

University's Warwick Shillito on the ball.

Redcliffe Leagues' Alex Swann tries to squeeze between two Bulimba defenders.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE - ROUND 14

Labrador 4 (Grant Smith, Mark Harris, Kane Hancock, Tom Kavanagh) defeated Easts 1 (Jarrod Black) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

A slick Labrador outfit turned in one of the best team performances of the season to beat Easts for the first time and rocket into the top five.  The Gold Coast side got off a flying start to lead 2-0 after 11 minutes after Grant Smith and Mark Harris both put tomahawk shots into the net two minutes apart of each other. Easts had ample opportunities to bridge the gap both sides of the halftime break, with Jarrod Black, Tim Bates and Jacob Whetton missing scoring chances, the latter moment seeing the teenaged striker somehow fluff a shot while unmarked on the penalty spot.  Labrador’s defence, led by calm and collected fullbacks Kane Hancock and Adam Byrne, continued to matched Easts’ attack before their side sealed the result in the final quarter hour of the match with another quick brace of goals.  It was Hancock who gave his side a three-goal break when he slotted a penalty stroke, then soon after Tom Kavanagh flicked over Easts goalkeeper Casey Lee after midfielder Brent Livermore had pierced the Tigers midfield.  With 30 seconds left Easts finally breached Labrador’s defensive wall, with Black picking up the scraps after Whetton’s initial shot was saved by Labrador goalkeeper Tyrone Melrose – Lee Oliver.


University of Queensland 1 (Ashley Hennegan) defeated QUT 0 at Mary Nairn Fields, Redcliffe.

University of Queensland has recorded back-to-back wins to keep alive a flickering glimmer of hope that the students can contest the finals for the first time in 17 years. The spirit of inter-varsity sporting clashes between University and QUT transferred to the Mary Nairn Fields as the Redmen edged past their tertiary rivals the Ibis in a tense clash.  eeking their first competition points of the season, QUT pushed University all the way, with goalkeeper Anders Kinsella making several key saves to keep his side in the match.  Nick Poon, Damien Queisser and Craig Macintosh came closest to scoring for University, while Mark Agnew steered QUT’s defence and Ashley Burns looked dangerous up front.  University camped themselves in QUT territory for much of the frantic final 10 minutes of the game, earning a multitude of penalty corners.  The Ibis came within three minutes of earning a scoreless draw, before Ashley Hennegan scored the game’s only goal from a corner. Macintosh had the chance to ice the result following a QUT turnover in the circle, but Kinsella snuffed out the late scoring chance.  University’s victory makes 2009 the first year since 1992 that the Redmen have won five games in a season – Lee Oliver.


Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths 7 (Brent Garske 2, Andrew Richards 2, Justin Truscott, Ryan Kilpatrick, Joel Farrell) defeated United 3 (Ashton Randall, Adam McClelland, Dave Carlson) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths produced their best attacking performance of the season to down United and reclaim third position on a congested competition ladder.  Midfielder Brent Garske opened Saints’ account, beating United keeper Mark Limbrick from the back line.  A Garske tomahawk shot then extended his team’s lead momentarily, before United replied immediately through a penalty corner strike to Dave Carlson.  United would have been happy to go to the break 2-1 down, but a short corner goal to the Saints’ Andrew Richards on the stroke of halftime hurt their opponents.  Buoyed by Richards’ goal, the Saints strikers returned full of running, scoring twice in six minutes, courtesy of Justin Truscott and Joel Farrell.  A United counter attack then saw the competition’s leading goal scorer Adam McClelland add to his tally. Saints forwards Ryan Gibbs and Craig Smith continued to terrorise United’s defence, and the damage could have been worse if not for desperate keeping from Limbrick.  Richards bagged a rare double with a well-placed tomahawk shot, only for an Ashton Randall deflection to reduce the deficit. Saints striker Ryan Kilpatrick completed the convincing victory, pouncing on a rebound three minutes from fulltime – Nicholas Bolton.


Commercial 8 (Cale Cramer 4, Leighton Stock, Chris Beale, Daniel Beale, Joel Torrisi) defeated Valley 2 (Kyle Rush, Tobias Figura) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Commercial rediscovered their attacking mojo to put eight goals past Valley, the scoring rampage a perfect tonic for a side held scoreless for the first time three years against University the previous week. Cale Cramer was the star for the Cobras, knocking in four goals as the defending champions completely outclassed the Diehards, sewing up their victory in the first half.  Commercial broke away to a handy 3-0 lead midway through the first half before a goal from Valley’s Kyle Rush got his side back in the game.  However the Cobras, with goals to Cramer and youngster Joel Torrisi, who notched his first top-grade goal for Commercial, stormed past their opponents to take a match-winning 5-1 lead into the break. Leighton Stock also got on the scorecoard for the Cobras, as did brothers Daniel and Chris Beale. While Valley’s semi finals chances evaporated with the heavy defeat, they still have a chance to claim some silverware for this season when they challenge United for the Jones-Ludwig Trophy in Round 15. The trophy, inaugurated last year, pays tribute to the contributions of Kedron-Wavell stalwart, the late Eric Jones, and long-serving Valley president Norm Ludwig – Lee Oliver.


Redcliffe Leagues 3 (James McAlpine, David Halliday, Ian Schulz) defeated Bulimba 0 at Mary Nairn Fields, Redcliffe.

Both defensive units stood tall but it was Redcliffe Leagues’ superior ability to hit the target in attack that saw the peninsula side down Bulimba. The afternoon started poorly for the Bulls, with Redcliffe Leagues capitalising on their first scoring chance when James McAlpine found the net from a penalty corner after five minutes. Bulimba had the chance to equalise soon after but Mitchell Grant shot wide of the net after being set up by Duncan Mahony, before Bulls halfback Michael Elmer diffused a dangerous situation by stopping Shane Kenny as his teammate Andrew Newman ran unmarked in the circle.  Bulimba could have entered the halftime break on equal terms with the home side but Dean Butler shot wide with the Bulls’ best scoring chance of the half. Soon after Ian Schulz forced two fine saves from Bulls goalkeeper Michael Harris, the first from a tomahawk shot and the second a sharp deflection. After McAlpine and fullback Luke Paine both snuffed out scoring chances for each side, Redcliffe Leagues doubled their lead through David Halliday. Redcliffe Leagues sealed their hard-earned victory with six minutes left when Schulz finally beat Harris to complete a length of the field movement – Lee Oliver.


POINTS:

Redcliffe Leagues 37, Commercial 32, Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths 24, Bulimba 23, Labrador 23, Easts 21, University of Queensland 15, United 14, Valley 14, QUT 0.


LEADING GOAL SCORERS:

21  -  Adam McClelland (United)
17  -  Cale Cramer (Commercial)
16  -  Mark Harris (Labrador)
13  -  Chris Beale (Commercial)
      -  Shane Kenny (Redcliffe Leagues)
11  -  Jarrod Black (Easts)
      -  Dale Gohdes (Easts)
      -  Andrew Newman (Redcliffe Leagues)
10  -  Brent Garske (Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths)
      -  David Halliday (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Kye Hawgood (Commercial)
  9  -  James McAlpine (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Jacob Whetton (Easts)
  8  -  Jason Wilson (Easts)

Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths' Michael Stokes tries to run down United's Belema Dede.

United's Ryan Schulte challenges Saints Ryan Kilpatrick.

United's Josh Wales halts a Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths attacking raid.

United's Ryan Schulte and Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths' Joel Farrell battle it out.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.