Valley's Lewis Short slips as Redcliffe Leagues' James McAlpine makes a tackle.

Redcliffe Leagues' Alex Swann slips a ball past Valley's Lachlan Brownhalls.

Valley's Khyle Rush tackles Redcliffe Leagues winger David Halliday.

Redcliffe Leagues forward Ian Schulz takes evasive action as Khyle Rush clears the ball.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Round 5

University of Queensland 3 (Jacob Burns, Ashley Hennegan, Dilbag Singh) defeated Labrador 2 (Joe Reardon, Mark Harris) at Keith Hunt Park, Labrador.

University came from behind twice to score their first win over Labrador from seven attempts and seal a position in the top five.  With Labrador goalkeeper Matt Woods and his rival goal stopper Adam Dinsdale in fine form, goals were hard to come by early on.  Labrador’s Joe Reardon scored the only goal of the first half when he blasted a shot high into the net.  Jacob Burns equalised for University when he flicked the ball past Woods from a penalty corner, before Mark Harris restored Labrador’s lead after good lead-up work from Reardon and Kyle Gildea.  University hit back, again from a penalty corner play, this time through Ashley Hennegan.  Hennegan then played his role in defence, nullifying the attacking chances of Tigerstix strike weapon Harris as Labrador desperately sought a third goal late in the match.  It was University who had their patience rewarded with six minutes to go, when Dilbag Singh tapped the ball into the net after Daniel Biase-McInally flicked the ball over Woods.  The defeat was Labrador’s first from their past five home matches – Lee Oliver.

Easts 6 (Jacob Whetton 2, Michael Bates 2, Dale Gohdes 2) defeated United 5 (Adam McClelland 4, Matt Curran) at Burringbar Park, Chermside.

A superb diving save from Easts goalkeeper Casey Lee stopped a late equaliser from United to give the Tigers a hard fought win. It took only four minutes for the ball to find its way into the back of the net with United’s Adam McClelland scoring with a drag flick. However, the lead was short lived with United turning over the ball while coming out of defence, giving Easts striker Jacob Whetton the opportunity to make a terrific 50 metre run and put the ball past the head of United goalkeeper Aaron Duff.  Matt Curran for United and Whetton then scored goals within a minute of each other, before both sides settled in to try and control the game.  The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute when some unselfish play by Whetton allowed Michael Bates to score.  The second half started in much the same manner as the first half ended with Easts’ midfield controlling much of the play, with both Whetton and United’s David Carlson squandering excellent scoring chances. The stalemate wasn’t to last though with six goals, five of them from penalty corners, being scored in the last 20 minutes of the game – Jim Moloney.

Pine Rivers St Andrews 4 (Craig Smith 2, Luke Reddiex, Michael Stokes) defeated QUT 0 at Burringbar Park, Chermside.

Pine Rivers St Andrews snapped a three-game losing streak by registering an unconvincing victory over a QUT outfit intent on defending.  The Saints team, which included two teenaged debutants, club juniors Dan O'Flaherty and Jarrod Farlow, were camped down the students' end throughout the first half, but failed to turn this pressure into a significant lead.  The only goal in the opening 35 minutes came when Craig Smith trapped a stray shot, before converting from point blank range. The Saints continued to dominate field position after the break, and when Michael Stokes affected a turnover to set up Smith’s second goal, a big win was there for the taking.  However, the Saints were unable to penetrate QUT’s stubborn 11-man defence again until the last five minutes.  Penalty corner goals to Stokes and Luke Reddiex blew out the scoreline for Pine Rivers St Andrews, who have now only conceded three goals to the Ibis in seven meetings  – Nicholas Bolton.

Commercial 3 (Daniel Beale, Chris Beale, Joel Torrisi) defeated Bulimba 1 (Jason Hale) at Clem Jones Sports Centre, Carina.

The return of Kris Glass and Wayne Barry helped Commercial overcome a spirited Bulimba side. After Commercial’s Cale Cramer and Bulimba’s Steve Bullion had early scoring chances, Daniel Beale, recently named in the Australian team for the Youth Olympic Games, opened the scoring six minutes in. It took Commercial another 20 minutes to beat Bulls goalkeeper Stephen Lambert again, with a turn and shot from Chris Beale on target. A simple tap-in by Jason Hale, after Glass and Cobras goalkeeper David Reid failed to deal with Bullion’s cross, saw the halftime score 2-1. Bulimba looked likely to score after halftime, before the Bulls played for seven minutes down two players. After the luckless Bullion, who had no fewer than five shots saved by Reid, received a yellow card for dissent and Jaryd Cutler was marched for a poor tackle, the nine-man Bulls continued to attack and were unlucky not to draw level. Allan Dale’s penalty corner flick hit the post before Kyle Richardson’s follow up shot was saved. Joel Torrisi scored to wrap up the Cobras’ win with four minutes left – Lee Oliver.

Redcliffe Leagues 10 (Andrew Newman 3, Nick Budd 2, Ian Schulz 2, Alex Swann, Shane Kenny, James McAlpine) defeated Valley 1 (Duncan Stewart) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Redcliffe Leagues continued their red hot form in front of goal, registering their second consecutive nine-goal victory with a ruthless display against Valley.  As with their 9-0 win against QUT the previous week, the Redmen opened up a two-goal lead inside eight minutes, through Nick Budd and Andrew Newman. After Valley had a goal disallowed, Newman scored from the penalty spot after Matt Denning brought down Ian Schulz in the circle. The Redmen got their fourth goal of the first half through Shane Kenny. Despite some positional changes by Valley, including striker Callan Short switching to fullback, the second half started just like the first, with Schulz and Alex Swann scoring within eight minutes of the restart to stretch the lead to 6-0. Valley showed some resilience, forcing Redcliffe Leagues goalkeeper Daniel Pink to make a number of fine saves, before he was beaten when Duncan Stewart flicked the ball into the net after a scramble in front of goal. Newman completed his hat-trick after Denning conceded a second penalty stroke for a poor tackle – Lee Oliver.

POINTS: Commercial 15, Redcliffe Leagues 12, Easts 12, University of Queensland 7, Bulimba 7, Labrador 6, United 6, Pine Rivers St Andrews 6, Valley 3, QUT 0.

LEADING GOAL SCORERS:

11  -  Adam McClelland (United)
 8  -  Jacob Webber (Easts)
 6  -  Cale Cramer (Commercial)
     -  David Halliday (Redcliffe Leagues)
 5  -  Michael Bates (Easts)
    -  Chris Beale (Commercial)
    -  Dale Gohdes (Easts)
    -  Dilbag Singh (University of Queensland)
 4  -  Nick Budd (Redcliffe Leagues)
    -  Jacob Burns (University of Queensland)
    -  Mark Harris (Labrador)
    -  Shane Kenny (Redcliffe Leagues)
    -  Andrew Newman (Redcliffe Leagues)
    -  Ian Schulz (Redcliffe Leagues)
    -  Joel Torrisi (Commercial)
    -  Jacob Whetton (Easts)

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE TRIVIA:

6. Which player has scored goals in the most consecutive matches since 2007?  Adam McClelland (United) - 11 straight matches from Round 15, 2009 to Round 6, 2010.

7. Which club has produced the most Brisbane Hockey Association Player of the Year winners?  Easts - 8.

8. Which was the last club to win all four Division 1 trophies – Premiership, Minor Premiership, Memorial Cup and President's Trophy – in the one year?  Commercial - 1994.

9. Which two players, from the Valley and University clubs, won Player of the Match honours in their debut matches in the Brisbane Hockey League last season?  Lachlan Brownhalls (Valley versus QUT) and Ashley Hennegan (University versus United).

10. In what year did teams from Border, Toowoomba, Gold Coast and Ipswich contest the Brisbane A-grade premiership?  1992.

Bulimba's Mitchell Grant and Commercial's Kye Hawgood vie for possession.

Bulimba's Steven Bullion goes down under pressure from Commercial defender Adam Barry.

Bulimba fullback Blake Wallis gives chase on Commercial's Lee Baker.

Steven Bullion gets a shot away despite pressure from Bryce Morley.

Mitchell Grant challenged by Commercial goal scorer Daniel Beale.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.