Redcliffe Leagues defender James McAlpine slides to challenge Easts
striker Jake Whetton.

Redcliffe Leagues' Alex Swann arrives too late stop Jacob Whetton's pass.

Redcliffe Leagues debutant Matt Raynham jostles with Easts rookie
Robert Bell.

Jake Whetton rounds Redcliffe Leagues goalkeeper Daniel Pink.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Round 1


Bulimba 4 (Steven Bullion 2, Dean Butler, Kyle Richardson) drew with University of Queensland 4 (Jacob Burns 2, Hamish Baron, Ashley Hennegan) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

In the opening game for the season Bulimba and University met, enthralling all in an exciting 4-all tie that saw the return of former Queensland Blades player Steve Bullion, who scored twice for Bulimba.  Bullion stepped on to the field for the first time in four years and scored in the third minute. The Bulls struck again from a penalty corner in the tenth minute through Dean Butler, and again by a high shot from Kyle Richardson two minutes later, to race out to a 3-0 lead.  University's Hamish Baron put his side on the board midway through the first half as he rolled around the defence in the circle before pivoting to fire off a shot. University was awarded a short corner in the 20th minute, which marquee signing Jacob Burns landed, before Bullion got his second goal as Bulimba finished the first half up 4-2.  University managed to even the score in the second half thanks to a penalty stroke by Burns and a penalty corner conversion by Ashley Hennegan. Despite some promising attempts Bulimba could not break University's defence in the final 15 minutes, while the Redmen maintained a high rate of possession and failed to capitalise. The game ended with a short corner to Bulimba but they couldn’t find the back of the net - Andrew Beard.


Pine Rivers St Andrews 4 (Ryan Gibbs, Dylan Elliott, Ashley Hart, Nick Bolton) defeated United 3 (Adam McClelland, Jacob Jennison, Ben Irving) at Burringbar Park, Chermside.

Pine Rivers St Andrews secured their first win of the season, but not without a struggle, as they made hard work of a 4-3 victory over United.  The contest began in unbelievable fashion, with the opening eight minutes producing four goals.  A Ryan Gibbs-inspired Saints stunned the joint-venture to lead 2-0 after four minutes.  Gibbs found the net first with a tomahawk shot, before setting up a diving Dylan Elliott for his side’s second.  However, a blunder by the Saints’ defence allowed United striker Jacob Jennison to make it three goals in as many minutes.  Yet it seemed the Saints’ attack could do no wrong, as midfielder Ashley Hart marked his return to first grade with a goal in the eighth minute.  Although Saints became complacent on the back of this early success, and United drew level courtesy of prolific goal scorer Adam McClelland, and an excellent drag flick by Ben Irving.  Having earlier been denied a goal to striker Ryan Kilpatrick, a Nicholas Bolton deflection finally restored Saints’ lead.  Despite a wealth of chances Saints failed to land the killer blow, and were forced to repel a late United surge to claim victory - Nicholas Bolton.


Redcliffe Leagues 3 (James McAlpine, David Halliday, Shane Kenny) defeated Easts 2 (Jacob Webber 2) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Despite fielding their youngest side in recent memory, a gallant Easts outfit pushed Redcliffe Leagues all the way, falling just short of an upset result against the 2009 Minor Premiers.  With  experienced trio Jarrod Black, Ben McCarthy and Dale Gohdes missing, all but three of Easts' starting side were under 20.  Despite fielding many rookies, the Tigers led early when Jacob Webber converted a penalty stroke after Jake Whetton was fouled in the circle.  In the 19th minute James McAlpine equalised for Redcliffe Leagues, who were missing the injured Andrew Newman and Nick Budd.  Easts came close to taking back the lead but Redcliffe Leagues defender James Hawley saved Zaan Togo's shot on the line after Whetton got around goalkeeper Daniel Pink for the second time in the half.  David Halliday gave the Redmen a 2-1 lead five minutes before halftime after he stole the ball from Tigers halfback Andrew Campbell.  Late in the second half Webber bobbled the ball over the line to tie the scores, but Shane Kenny scored to put the Redmen back in front with four minutes left.  In a dramatic finale to the tight match, Michael Bates' goal with 30 seconds remaining was overturned for a ball hitting the foot of a teammate in the lead-up play - Lee Oliver.


Commercial 3 (Paul Nichols 2, Cale Cramer) defeated Valley 1 (Duncan Stewart) at Burringbar Park, Chermside.

A new-look Commercial side overcame a dogged Valley outfit to begin their bid for five successive premierships in winning fashion, triumphing 3-1.  The Cobras farewelled Jacob Burns, Daniel Biase McInally, and Wayne Barry during the off-season, and despite also being without fullback Adam Barry for the clash, didn’t look to have missed a beat when striker Cale Cramer struck in just the sixth minute.  Although Valley were minus stars David Watts and Tobias Figura they showed they are going to be a force this year, with only some desperate goalkeeping from David Reid denying the Diehards an equaliser.  However, the pressure was soon back on Valley as Paul Nicholls capitalised on a napping Diehards defence to knock in a backstick cross from Cramer.  At 2-0 down Valley were still in the contest, but when an unmarked Nicholls tapped in the easiest of goals the Cobras looked home.  A Duncan Stewart goal gave the Diehards a chance with 15 minutes to play, but any hopes were dashed when a rash Mitchell Smith tackle reduced Valley to 10 men.  The match saw the playing returns for Commercial of four-time premiership winning coach Blair Brown, and defender Matt Lageroth from a knee reconstruction - Nicholas Bolton.


Labrador 8 (Matt Harmon 2, Mark Harris 2, Kane Hancock, Kyle Gildea, Dean Murphy, Andrew Ward) defeated QUT 2 (Isaac Dawson, Chris Gilmore) at Keith Hunt Park, Labrador.

Labrador's young guns led the way as the Tigerstix overcame an early deficit to post a six-goal victory over QUT at a wet Keith Hunt Park.  QUT stunned the home side early to give the Ibis hopes of ending an 18-match losing streak when new signing Isaac Dawson, from Lismore, found the back of the net after five minutes to reward a confident opening to the match for the students.  Led by teenagers Kyle Gildea, Luke Tyne and Dean Murphy, Labrador hit back with two goals in as many minutes, to Gildea and Kane Hancock, giving their side a 2-1 lead.  Grafton product Matt Harmon then scored twice from penalty corners as the Tigerstix stretched their lead to three goals by halftime.  When QUT's Chris Gilmore scored to finish off some positive lead-up work and make the score 5-2 with a quarter of an hour left to play, it appeared a comeback may be on the cards.  But QUT turnovers led to Labrador scoring three goals in the final 10 minutes, to Murphy, Mark Harris and Andrew Ward, to blow out the score.  Despite their loss, the match was the first time QUT has scored two goals in a game since Round 16, 2008 - Lee Oliver.


POINTS: Labrador 3, Commercial 3, Pine Rivers St Andrews 3, Redcliffe Leagues 3, Bulimba 1, University of Queensland 1, Easts 0, United 0, Valley 0, QUT 0.


LEADING GOAL SCORERS:

2  -  Steven Bullion (Bulimba)
    -  Jacob Burns (University of Queensland)
    -  Matt Harmon (Labrador)
    -  Mark Harris (Labrador)
    -  Paul Nichols (Commercial)
    -  Jacob Webber (Easts)

Greg Collins prepares to retrieve the rebounding ball from the pads of
University goalkeeper Adam Dinsdale.

University's Damien Queisser holds off Bulimba rival Kyle Richardson.

Bulimba defender Blake Wallis hits the turf under attention from Karl
Smith and Hamish Baron.

Bulimba's Steve Bullion in hot pursuit of the ball, shielded by University
goalkeeper Adam Dinsdale.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.