Valley's Tobias Figura chases United's Tim Forster.

Valley's Khyle Rush beats United's Sam Acutt in a midfield clash.

Valley's Andrew McGuckin flirts with the sideline, watched by United's Shane Cowling.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Round 4


United 3 (Adam McClelland 2, Jacob Jennison) defeated Valley 2 (Alecz Day, Chris Ahern) at Mary Nairn Fields, Redcliffe.

United goal-scoring whiz Adam McClelland scored for the ninth straight match as his side produced a come-from-behind win against Valley. Although McClelland and Jacob Jennison had early scoring chances, Valley dominated the latter stages of the first half. Alecz Day scored from a penalty corner to give the Diehards a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, with his shot going in off the foot of off-balance United goalkeeper Aaron Duff.  With Valley creating several scoring chances late in the half, including James Kryisakis just missing a tough backstick shot from the backline, Duff produced some telling saves that would ultimately earn his side victory.  Two quick goals soon after halftime, from McClelland and Jennison, gave United an ascendancy they didn't relinquish. McClelland scored his second goal with 10 minutes remaining, and when Duff smothered Duncan Stewart's shot he ensured United would register back-to-back wins after downing University the previous week.  Duff was finally beaten again with 30 seconds left, with Chris Ahern scoring a consolation goal for Valley – Lee Oliver.


Easts 5 (Jacob Webber 4, Michael Bates) defeated University of Queensland 4 (Sim Bird, Hamish Baron, Jacob Burns, Timbi Poon) at the Clem Jones Sports Centre, Carina.

Four second half goals from Jacob Webber helped an under strength Easts outfit overturn a three-goal deficit and record their third straight victory.  University scored two goals from corners by Sim Bird and then Jacob Burns and Timbi Poon scored two minutes later with a field goal, putting University ahead 3-0.  Michael Bates put Easts on the scoreboard with a goal from a penalty corner just before halftime.  The Tigers looked the hungrier team in the second half, controlling possession as University appeared directionless at times.  However, Hamish Baron scored from a penalty corner to take University out to a 4-1 lead, before the impressive Webber sprung into action. First he thumped a field goal past University goalkeeper Adam Dinsdale early in the second half, scored twice more from penalty corners to bring the match to 4-4, before striking home the winning goal to cap the second four-goal effort of his first-grade career. Easts played without Robert Bell, Matt Pembroke, Jake Farrell and Dylan Wotherspoon, who were guiding Queensland to a fourth straight under-18 national title in Canberra, while University had five players out of action – Andrew Beard.


Bulimba 4 (Mitchell Grant 2, Dean Butler, Kyle Richardson) defeated Labrador 3 (Matt Harmon, Dean Murphy, Joe Reardon) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Bulimba staged a memorable comeback to beat Labrador in an exciting game of contrasting halves.  The first half belonged exclusively to Labrador as they scored three unanswered goals while having a better run with possession.  Joe Reardon smashed in a penalty corner after four minutes to open the scoring against his former side.  The match turned ultra-defensive for 20 minutes before Labrador again struck when Dean Murphy tapped in a Matt Harmon cross.  Harmon then added a goal of his own after good lead up work by another former Bulls player, Mark Harris, allowed him to sweep a low drive into the net.  The game turned on its head in the second half.  Bulimba’s Mitchell Grant started the dramatic turnaround after scoring two goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second period.  Dean Butler then levelled the scores with seven minutes left to play and the unlikely comeback was completed minutes later when Kyle Richardson met Grant’s pinpoint cross.  A stunned Labrador outfit tried desperately to equalise but Reardon’s last minute tomahawk shot bounced just wide – Michael Spring.


Commercial 4 (Blair Brown, Cale Cramer, Joel Torrisi, Chris Beale) defeated Pine Rivers St Andrews 3 (Ryan Kilpatrick, Dylan Elliott, Brent Garske) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Commercial have goalkeeper David Reid to thank for continuing their unbeaten start to the season, after the Cobras survived a second half onslaught from the Saints. Commercial scored early through striker Cale Cramer before a Blair Brown drag flick from a penalty corner doubled the Cobras' lead.  Having gone close to scoring themselves, the Saints finally cracked Commercial's defence, courtesy of a Dylan Elliott deflection.  Both sides continued to create chances, but it was Commercial’s superior execution that earned them a 4-1 halftime advantage, following further goals to Chris Beale and Joel Torrisi.  Unphased by the deficit, the Saints returned from the break determined to convert their opportunities, and they didn’t have to wait long with Ryan Kilpatrick scoring almost immediately.  The Cobras then affected two pivotal saves against Saint Craig Smith.  First it was Reid denying a tomahawk shot destined for the top right corner of the net, before a sliding Adam Barry guided a Smith push shot wide.  Despite conceding a third goal to Saints midfielder Brent Garske, the Cobras hung on in the final minutes to complete the victory - Nicholas Bolton.


Redcliffe Leagues 9 (David Halliday 3, Nick Budd 2, Shane Kenny 2, Ian Schulz, James McAlpine) defeated QUT 0 at Mary Nairn Fields, Redcliffe.

Redcliffe Leagues bounced back from a disappointing last-start loss to Commercial by taking their frustration out on strugglers QUT.  The Peninsula side cruised past the wooden spooners to hold down third place on the ladder, while consigning the students to their 22nd straight defeat.  Redcliffe Leagues winger David Halliday found the back of the net three times to make it nine goals from his last three matches against the Ibis, while Shane Kenny and Nick Budd both scored twice.  The home side made their intentions clear early, with Kenny and Budd scoring to give the Redmen a 2-0 lead after just eight minutes. When Kenny, Ian Schulz and Halliday scored in the space of five minutes midway through the first half, Redcliffe Leagues had the match sewn up by halftime, up 5-0.  QUT stemmed the flow of goals after the break, with Budd scoring from a penalty corner with 20 minutes remaining and Halliday sealing his hat-trick with an uncontested shot at goal with 10 minutes left.  Despite a sterling effort from Toowoomba product Rob Kruger, QUT was unable to breach the Redmen's defence for the sixth time from seven meetings – Lee Oliver.


POINTS: Commercial 12, Easts 9, Redcliffe Leagues 9, Bulimba 7, Labrador 6, United 6, University of Queensland 4, Valley 3, Pine Rivers St Andrews 3, QUT 0.


LEADING GOAL SCORERS:

8  -  Jacob Webber (Easts)
7  -  Adam McClelland (United)
6  -  Cale Cramer (Commercial)
    -  David Halliday (Redcliffe Leagues)
4  -  Chris Beale (Commercial)
    -  Dilbag Singh (University of Queensland)
3  -  Michael Bates (Easts)
    -  Jacob Burns (University of Queensland)
    -  Dean Butler (Bulimba)
    -  Dale Gohdes (Easts)
    -  Mitchell Grant (Bulimba)
    -  Matt Harmon (Labrador)
    -  Mark Harris (Labrador)
    -  Ben Irving (United)
    -  Jacob Jennison (United)
    -  Shane Kenny (Redcliffe Leagues)
    -  Joel Torrisi (Commercial)


BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE TRIVIA:

1. Which club has won the most Division 1 wooden spoons over the past 20 years?  University of Queensland – 6 (1994, 1997-2001).
 
2. In what year did Bulimba's Steve Bullion win the Brisbane Hockey Association Rookie of the Year award?  2000.

3. Which Division 1 side does not boast any players that have played in the Australian Hockey League?  None.

4. Which three players have scored the most goals in the Division 1 competition since 2008?  Cale Cramer (Commercial - 48); Adam McClelland (United - 47); Mark Harris (Labrador - 39). 

5. Against which team did QUT win their first match after being admitted entry into the Division 1 competition in 2007?  QUT beat United 3-1 in Round 13, 2007. 

Redcliffe Leagues forward Ian Schulz pushes the ball past QUT's Luke Nash.

QUT's Rob Kruger closes in on Redcliffe Leagues' James Hawley.

Chris Rawlings lunges to try and stop Redcliffe Leagues' James McAlpine.

QUT's Luke Nash and Redcliffe Leagues' Alex Swann.

Commercial's Kye Hawgood chased by Pine Rivers St Andrews' Ryan Gibbs. Photo by John Beale.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.