Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths defender Craig Richards clears the ball ahead of
airbourne Labrador forward Grant Smith.

Labrador's Joel Ward looks to pass the ball clear of Saint's Andrew Richards.

Andrew Ward finishes off a mad scramble in front of goal for Labrador's opening score.

Labrador halfback Heath Ferguson takes the ball from Saints goal scorer Craig Smith.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Semi Finals (Week 2)

 
Labrador 2 (Andrew Ward 2) defeated Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths 1 (Craig Smith) at Burringbar Park, Chermside.

Labrador moved within one victory of an historic maiden grand final appearance after outlasting a fast finishing Pine Rivers St Andrews-Norths outfit.  Labrador enjoyed the better of the play in the early stages but couldn’t find the net until 10 minutes before halftime.  Andrew Ward scored from close range following a mad scramble in front of goal which started after Joel Ward sent a pass into the circle.  Four minutes later Ward scored again to made it 2-0 when he found himself alone in front of an unattended goal net, left with a simple job after a pass from Mark Harris from the backline had snuck under the pads of Saints goalkeeper Nathan Panetta.  Panetta then produced a fine save to deny Kyle Gildea a goal late in the half.  Andrew Richards kept the Saints in the match when he saved a penalty corner off the line, before his side began its fightback.  After Ryan Gibbs and Justin Truscott both had shots saved by Tyrone Melrose and Dylan Elliott put his chance wide of the net, Craig Smith finally beat the Labrador goalkeeper with a low penalty corner drag flick with 13 minutes left to play.  Saints finished the match full of running, swamping Labrador’s defence, but poor attacking options ultimately saw them bundled out of the finals.  Labrador will be boosted by the return of Australian midfielder Brent Livermore for its preliminary final against Redcliffe Leagues – Lee Oliver.

Commercial 3 (Kye Hawgood 2, Jacob Burns) defeated Redcliffe Leagues 0 at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Commercial demonstrated why they are finals specialists, booking their spot in the grand final for the sixth straight year after accounting for minor premier Redcliffe Leagues.  The Cobras got off to a dream start with Kye Hawgood scoring after just three minutes, running the ball down the right side and then along the backline before managing to sneak a shot past Redcliffe Leagues goalkeeper Daniel Pink.  After being stunned so early in the match Redcliffe Leagues clicked into gear, dominating the play with Matthew Swann coming agonizingly close to scoring after running down the right flank.  Swann’s flick went over the head of Commercial goalkeeper David Reid but missed the far post by inches.  With both defences holding firm on penalty corners, Commercial’s Wayne Barry received a yellow card for two bad tackles on Swann just before halftime.  Redcliffe Leagues fullback Nick Budd received a yellow card of his own for a bad tackle that resulted in a penalty corner.  Following good lead-up from his brother Daniel, Chris Beale had a goal disallowed, but the Cobras grabbed their second goal with 11 minutes left when Cale Cramer laid the ball back to Jacob Burns, who scored from a diving slap shot. Commercial ended hopes of a Redcliffe Leagues victory with six minutes left when Hawgood deflected in a penalty corner drag flick from Cramer at the right post – Rebecca Kirchner and Lee Oliver.

Saints goalkeeper Nathan Panetta denies Labrador's Mark Harris a scoring chance.

Labrador's Mark Harris moves in on Saints' standout player Andrew Richards. 

Redcliffe's Andrew Newman tries to beat Paul Nichols. Photo by John Beale.

Commercial's Jacob Burns tangles with Redcliffe's Matthew Curran. Photo by John Beale.

Commercial's Chris Beale fires off a penalty corner drag flick. Photo by John Beale.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.