Commercial's Kye Hawgood clears the ball from the circle
and out of reach of Labrador's Andrew Ward.

Labrador's Joel Ward flicks the ball over the stick of Commercial fullback Adam Barry.

Labrador's Mark Harris tries to round Commercial goalkeeper David Reid.

Commercial's Wayne Barry moves in on former Cobras teammate Grant Smith.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Semi Finals (Week 1)


Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths 1 (Ryan Kilpatrick) defeated Easts 0 at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

A lone goal and a wayward penalty stroke were the moments that ultimately decided a nail biting match that wasn’t decided until the final 30 seconds.  The only goal of the intense and sometimes controversial game, which saw the finals savvy Tigers throw everything at a Saints side contesting their first playoffs match in nine years, came early in the first half when Ryan Kilpatrick beat Easts goalkeeper Casey Lee after receiving a pass from Justin Truscott.  In a second half that constantly echoed the do-or-die nature of the clash, Saints supporters thought Andrew Richards had scored to double his side’s lead but his reverse stick shot from a penalty corner was too high.  Jacob Webber then had a great chance to equalise for Easts but he couldn’t connect with Michael Bates’ pass in front of goal at close range.  As Easts’ forwards finished the match full of running, sending waves of attack towards the Saints defence, the Saints had two ideal chances to ice the win in the last six minutes. But Craig Smith flicked over the net then his side failed to convert a penalty corner awarded after Richards was felled by Darrien Brennan.  The game’s most dramatic moment came with 30 seconds left when Easts were awarded a penalty stroke after Richards’ body blocked a goal-bound shot.  Needing to score to send the match into extra time, experienced Tigers midfielder Todd Watson sent his stroke just wide of the left post.


Commercial 5 (Adam Barry, Cale Cramer, Chris Beale, Jacob Burns, Ian Baker) defeated Labrador 0 at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Labrador left the State Hockey Centre with a distinct sense of déjà vu after being rattled by a slick Cobras outfit.  Commercial toppled the Tigerstix by the same 5-0 scoreline in the corresponding semi final last year, and within 15 minutes it looked liked another similar winning margin was likely to be on the cards.  Despite Labrador having more attacking chances early, the Cobras led 2-0 after a quarter hour.  Adam Barry put a penalty stroke past the outstretched leg of Labrador goalkeeper Tyrone Melrose in the tenth minute after defender Kane Hancock’s foot stopped a goal-bound shot.  Five minutes later a classy interchange of passing from Commercial, including a cheeky pass between the legs, saw Cramer pounce on a rebound after his initial shot was saved on the line.  Despite having as many scoring chances as their rivals from both open play and penalty corners, Labrador continued to be wasteful in the circle with Joe Reardon, Mark Harris and Andrew Ward among the players to shoot wide of the net.  The Tigerstix were made to pay with Chris Beale’s penalty corner drag flick deflecting off the post and into the net, giving Commercial a three-goal lead.  A soft goal from a penalty corner to Jacob Burns virtually sealed the Cobras’ win just two minutes after halftime, before Ian Baker scored to complete the demolition job.

Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths' Andrew Richards pursued by Easts' Michael Bates.

Saint Justin Truscott clears the ball away with a reverse stick hit.

Saints goalkeeper Nathan Panetta and defender Andrew Richards scramble to stop a
goal-bound shot.

Easts pair Dale Gohdes and Jacob Webber appeal for a last-minute penalty stroke.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.