University's Ashley Hennegan holds off a challenge from Easts' Dylan Wotherspoon.

Easts striker Jarrod Black runs away from University's Karl Smith.

University's Jake Burns surges towards the circle.

Easts' Dale Gohdes squeezes through University duo Greg Collins and Mitchell Smith.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Round 13


Bulimba 4 (Liam Brown 2, Jaryd Cutler, Mitchell Grant) defeated Labrador 2 (Brent Livermore, Joe Reardon) at Keith Hunt Park, Labrador.

Bulimba have won their first game at the Gold Coast in four attempts on a all-round bad day for the home side. A distraught Brent Livermore had to come off at half time with an enormously swollen ankle that might see the midfield maestro sidelined for the remainder of the season. The day started brightly for the Tigerstix and Livermore, however, when the Australian international slotted home a penalty corner after three minutes. Bulimba responded six minutes later through Jaryd Cutler, who finished a barnstorming run from Matt Nolan. Labrador had four of the next seven penalty corners before the break, but couldn’t restore their advantage. Bulimba gained the ascendency four minutes after the restart when Liam Brown finished truly. Labrador continued to control the game despite the loss of Livermore and had a string of penalty corners, their fifth in a row finally finished by Joe Reardon with 10 minutes left after several rebounded efforts. Mitchell Grant scored to restore the Bulls' lead when he tapped in from close range after a set play from a penalty corner. Brown got his second goal with a tomahawk shot from a tight angle in the game’s dying minutes, after he broke through the Tigerstix’ defensive line. The win was a perfect send off for Bulimba's four-time premiership winner, Olympian Dean Butler, who is moving to Cairns - Michael Spring.


United 4 (Adam McClelland 2, Jacob Jennison, Matt Argent) defeated Valley 2 (Kane Posselt, Duncan Stewart) at Burringbar Park, Chermside.

United maintained their recent dominance of Valley to keep alive their hopes of a maiden finals appearance. With both sides entering the clash on equal standing on the ladder and four points outside the top five, the match was pivotal to the playoff hopes of the teams. Missing two of their key players in Chris Ahern and Tobias Figura, Valley opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour when Kane Posselt found the back of the net from close range. United hit back when Jacob Jennison scored after taking a pass from Adam McClelland, with McClelland scoring the next two goals to give his side a 3-1 lead at halftime.  First the competition's leading goal scorer combined with Belema Dede before putting the ball under Valley goalkeeper David Watts, and then the striker dragged the ball around Watts after being set up by Sam Acutt.  Needing to score the next goal to keep in touch with their opponents and  fellow finals aspirants, Valley did just that, with Duncan Stewart finding the back of the net just two minutes after the break. But United scored the most decisive goal of the match when McClelland set up his cousin Matt Argent to score to seal victory. United has now won three of their past four clashes against Valley, including two victories this year - Lee Oliver.


Redcliffe Leagues 15 (Ian Schulz 3, Shane Kenny 3, Nick Budd 3, James Hawley 2, David Halliday 2, Andrew Newman, Shaun Furtado) defeated QUT 3 (Rob Kruger 2, Anders Kinsella) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Redcliffe Leagues registered their best tally of goals in a decade as QUT paid a big price for having two key players spend time on the sideline after receiving yellow cards.  After Ibis fullback Tommy Mills was sent off for a professional foul, Nick Budd, Ian Schulz and Andrew Newman scored inside the opening 10 minutes to set the peninsula side on the path to a huge win. James Hawley and Schulz scored to take Redcliffe Leagues' lead to five goals, before Anders Kinsella hit the back of the net for QUT.  Redcliffe Leagues led 6-1 at halftime after Budd scored his side's fifth goal from 13 first half penalty corners. After David Halliday opened the scoring in their second half, Shaun Furtado squeezed a shot through the Ibis defence for his first goal for Redcliffe Leagues, before Rob Kruger deflected the ball into goal for QUT.  An amazing seven goals were then scored in the next 11 minutes of the match, including three goals to the Redman after QUT defender Alex Krzensk was given his marching orders. Redcliffe Leagues' Shane Kenny scored three of the goals, with Kruger scoring QUT's third goal as the Ibis completed their highest score in two years. Redcliffe Leagues' win saw them score 15 goals for the first time since a 16-0 thrashing of Valley in 1999 - Lee Oliver.


Commercial 4 (Blair Brown, Chris Beale, Tom Brough, Cale Cramer) defeated Pine Rivers St Andrews 2 (Craig Smith 2) at Burringbar Park, Chermside.

Superior execution has proven the catalyst for Commercial’s 21st consecutive victory, overcoming a stern test from Pine Rivers St Andrews to triumph in a high-quality encounter.  Commercial opened their account after six minutes courtesy of a drag flick to centre half Blair Brown, but Saints were quick to reply through midfielder Craig Smith.  Growing in confidence, Saints began to dominate field position, and following the loss of Brown and Wayne Barry to shoulder and leg injuries respectively, the Cobras were looking increasingly vulnerable.  However, Saints were unable to turn pressure into goals, and a classy finish to a Commercial counter attack by striker Cale Cramer meant the Cobras enjoyed an unlikely advantage at the break.  Upon returning from the sheds Commercial showed why they are the team to beat, with Chris Beale and Tom Brough scoring during a five-minute period to stretch their lead.  Even down 4-1 the Pine Rivers St Andrews created enough chances to set the scene for a thrilling climax, although Saints failed to capitalise.  A final minute drag flick from Smith gave Saints a deserved second goal, yet they were left to rue the fact they converted just one of eight penalty corners - Nicholas Bolton.


Easts 9 (Jacob Webber 3, Zaan Togo 3, Jarrod Black, Michael Bates, Jake Farrell) defeated University of Queensland 0 at the Clem Jones Sports Centre, Carina.

A second half scoring rampage has helped Easts to their biggest win of the season, while seriously hampering University's bid for their first finals berth in 18 years. Easts wasted no time in kick-starting what was a long day for the under-manned students, with Jacob Webber scoring the first of his three goals after only two minutes. Jacob Whetton beat University goalkeeper Adam Dinsdale to lay on a shot for Jarrod Black, who duly put the ball past diving defender Kieran Powyer to see the Tigers lead 2-0 after 24 minutes. Saves from fullback Damien Queisser and Dinsdale, to deny Whetton, Dale Gohdes and Jake Farrell's shot from the only penalty corner of the first half, saw University survive until halftime. When Daniel Biase-McInally had a shot saved after he sliced through the Easts defence moments after play resumed, it appeared University would continue to take to fight to the home side.  But the positive play was a false omen, with University capitulating as Easts scored six goals in 14 minutes, most from close range. Easts' last three goals came from winger Zaan Togo, who took just 10 minutes to bag his first top-grade hat-trick of goals. University's nine-goal loss was the students' heaviest defeat since they lost 10-0 to Bulimba late in the 2007 season - Lee Oliver.


POINTS: Commercial 39, Redcliffe Leagues 31, Easts 28, Pine Rivers St Andrews 20, Bulimba 19, Labrador 15, United 15, University of Queensland 13, Valley 12, QUT 0.


LEADING GOAL SCORERS:

18  -  Adam McClelland (United)
      -  Jacob Webber (Easts)
16  -  Blair Brown (Commercial)
14  -  Michael Bates (Easts)
      -  David Halliday (Redcliffe Leagues)
12  -  Nick Budd (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Jacob Burns (University of Queensland)
      -  Cale Cramer (Commercial)
      -  Ryan Kilpatrick (Pine Rivers St Andrews)
11  -  Chris Beale (Commercial)
      -  Jacob Whetton (Easts)
10  -  Mark Harris (Labrador)
      -  Shane Kenny (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Joe Reardon (Labrador)
  9  -  Ian Schulz (Redcliffe Leagues)
  8  -  Jacob Jennison (United)
      -  Craig Smith (Pine Rivers St Andrews)


BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE TRIVIA:

46.  Rasey Park and Rob Akers Reserve are former home grounds of which club?  Pine Rivers St Andrews.

47.  How many Division 1 grand finals has Easts won?  Six (1983, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2005).

48. Which club boasts the most players in the Queensland Blades squad for the Australian Hockey League?  Easts - six (Jacob Webber, Michael Bates, Jacob Whetton, Dale Gohdes, Jake Farrell, Ben McCarthy).

49.  With which French club did Bulimba striker Liam Brown win a national championship earlier this year?  Cambrai HC.

50.  When was the last year Valley won a Division 1 trophy?  1991 (President's Trophy).

QUT defender Alex Krzensk pressures Redcliffe Leagues forward Andrew Newman.

Shaun Lu stops James McAlpine from advancing further into the QUT circle.

Shaun Furtado looks for support from a Redcliffe Leagues teammate.

Redcliffe Leagues striker David Halliday takes on QUT goalkeeper Blair Burden.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.