Commercial's Tom Brough gets the ball ahead of
former teammates Jacob Burns and Daniel
Biase-McInally. Photo by John Beale.

University's Ashley Hennegan outpaces Commercial's Wayne Barry.

Commercial's Chris Beale slices through the University defence. Photo by John Beale.

University striker Sim Bird beats Commercial fullback Leighton Stock.

University's Daniel Biase-McInally and Commercial's Kye Hawgood battle for the ball.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Round 6


Labrador 6 (Mark Harris 4, Matt Harmon, Sam Barker) defeated United 5 (Adam McClelland 2, Matt Argent 2, Matt Curran) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Labrador won a classic against United in a match with several brilliant individual efforts. Labrador’s Mark Harris bagged four memorable goals, his first being a solo run around United goalkeeper Aaron Duff with a flick shot from a tight angle to open the scoring after five minutes. He was at it again in the 23rd minute, tripping over Duff before tomahawking the ball into the roof of the net. United were shell-shocked and compounded their lacklustre first half showing when Belema Dede scored an own goal after Sam Barker’s shot resulted in a mix-up with the goalkeeper. Harris completed his hat-trick two minutes from half-time with a smart first-time flick off team-mate Andrew Ward’s powerful drive. Adam McClelland looked to start United’s comeback in the second half when he skilfully flicked the ball over Labrador goalkeeper Matt Woods, but Labrador responded a minute later through Matt Harmon. United brought the score to 5-4 with McClelland, Matt Curran and Matt Argent hitting the back of the net, before Harris broke United’s momentum when he tapped in for his fourth goal. Argent looked to give United one last push for an equaliser when he got his second goal minutes from time but his side couldn’t breach a desperate Tigerstix defence – Michael Spring.


Pine Rivers St Andrews 2 (Craig Smith, Michael Stokes) drew with Redcliffe Leagues 2 (Alex Swann, James McAlpine) at Mary Nairn Fields, Redcliffe.

Pine Rivers St Andrews went agonisingly close to securing a breakthrough victory over Redcliffe Leagues on the peninsula, as the baysiders escaped with a 2-2 draw.  Both sides entered the match minus their first-choice centre halves, with Redcliffe Leagues’ Peter Dillon injured in last weekend’s Premier League tournament, and unlucky Saint Andrew Richards having managed just the one game so far this season.  After a tight opening it was Pine Rivers St Andrews who began to gain the ascendancy in the all important midfield battle, ensuring the Saints strikers saw plenty of ball.  However, against the run of play it was Redcliffe Leagues who scored first through a deflection to midfielder Alex Swann.  Despite the deficit the Saints continued to create more attacking chances, and they were finally rewarded early in the second half courtesy of a Craig Smith strike.  Striker Michael Stokes then put the Saints ahead with a decisive finish, before James McAlpine salvaged an unlikely draw for Redcliffe Leagues, his penalty corner hit going in off the helmet of outstretched Saints goalkeeper Nathan Panetta.  The point is Saints’ first against the Redmen at Redcliffe since the resurfacing of their home pitch – Nicholas Bolton.


Easts 8 (Jacob Webber 2, Michael Bates 2, Jacob Whetton 2, Jarrod Black, Zaan Togo) defeated Valley 2 (Duncan Stewart 2) at the Clem Jones Sports Centre, Carina.

Easts thrashed Valley to continue their good form winning the last four of their five matches this season.  Easts scored quickly in the early stages of the first half through a penalty stroke to Jacob Webber which was followed only several minutes later by a field goal from Michael Bates.  Valley was able to defend successfully for the remainder of the half but couldn’t keep up with the speed and skill of the Tigers’ strikers, who had no problems getting through the Diehards’ midfield.  As Valley tired Easts let the tiger out of the cage and in about 20 minutes scored five unanswered field goals. Jacob Whetton, who scored two goals was instrumental with teammate Bates also leading the charge.  Jarrod Black and Zaan Togo also scored for Easts, who found themselves way in front at 7-0 with ten minutes left on the clock.  Despite being clearly out of the run for the match, and possibly with memories of their 14-1 humiliation to the Tigers last year in their minds, Valley continued to proudly play with a late surge of two field goals by Duncan Stewart reducing the margin. The match ended with a goal from a penalty corner by Whetton that looked about as unstoppable as Easts seem to be at their new home fortress – Andrew Beard.


Commercial 5 (Blair Brown 2, Tom Brough, Daniel Beale, Joel Torrisi) defeated University of Queensland 0 at Mary Nairn Fields, Redcliffe.

Seven minutes was all it took for Commercial to stamp their authority on an evenly poised, high quality contest against the last team they lost to. Three quick goals late in the first half saw the Cobras see off the challenge of a side that looked capable of their second upset victory against the defending champions in as many meetings.  Both goalkeepers shone in the first half, with University’s Adam Dindsale pulling off three quality saves in the opening four minutes alone and Commercial’s David Reid saving his side several times later in the first half. Blair Brown opened the scoring eight minutes out from halftime, with his shot taking a deflection into goal, before an unmarked Tom Brough scored.  Two minutes before halftime Commercial were in again, with Daniel Beale scoring after University defender Damien Queisser failed to clear the ball following Matt Lagerroth’s weaving run into the circle. Already missing their leading goal scorer Dilbag Singh through injury, University lost impressive British forward Sim Bird to a facial injury soon after halftime. Brown and Joel Torrisi scored within five minutes of each other to wrap up the Cobras’ victory with 15 minutes left, but to their credit the students didn’t crumble despite the deficit – Lee Oliver.


Bulimba 4 (Allan Dale, Steve Bullion, Joe Chisholm, Mitchell Grant) defeated QUT 1 (Alex Short) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

The Bulimba Bulls beat QUT comfortably to score their third win of the season, securing their place in the top five. The one-sided affair started when Bulimba’s Allan Dale converted a penalty corner in the sixth minute. The Bulls again scored off a penalty corner seven minutes later when Steven Bullion finished an intricate set-play. Bulimba continued to peg QUT back in their own half, capitalising on their field position with a goal to Joe Chisholm eight minutes from half-time to see the Bulls lead 3-0 at the break. QUT tightened their defence in the second half and the game became scrappy. Mitchell Grant got Bulimba a fourth goal two minutes into the half after he reverse flicked the ball across QUT goalkeeper Blair Burden. QUT restored some respectability to the score when Alex Short took advantage of a rare penalty corner for his side with 20 minutes left in the game. It was only the third goal this year, and the first score since the opening day of the season, for a side that is yet to find its feet in Brisbane’s premier hockey league. However, the Ibis are likely to rise to another level for their next match when they clash with arch rivals University of Queensland for the Ben Napier-Nunn Memorial Shield – Michael Spring.


POINTS: Commercial 18, Easts 15, Redcliffe Leagues 13, Bulimba 10, Labrador 9, Pine Rivers St Andrews 7, University of Queensland 7, United 6, Valley 3, QUT 0.


LEADING GOAL SCORERS:

13  -  Adam McClelland (United)
10  -  Jacob Webber (Easts)
  8  -  Mark Harris (Labrador)
  7  -  Michael Bates (Easts)
  6  -  Cale Cramer (Commercial)
      -  David Halliday (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Jacob Whetton (Easts)
  5  -  Chris Beale (Commercial)
      -  Dale Gohdes (Easts)
      -  Dilbag Singh (University of Queensland)
      -  Joel Torrisi (Commercial)
  4  -  Blair Brown (Commercial)
      -  Nick Budd (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Jacob Burns (University of Queensland)
      -  Mitchell Grant (Bulimba)
      -  Shane Kenny (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Andrew Newman (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Ian Schulz (Redcliffe Leagues)
      -  Duncan Stewart (Valley)


BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE TRIVIA:

11. Which was the last Division 1 team to go through an entire season undefeated?  Easts, in 1985.

12. Who was the Brisbane Hockey Association Rookie of the Year in 2004?  Jason Wilson (Easts).
 
13. Which was the only team to not lose to premiers Commercial during the 2009 season?  Bulimba.

14. In what year was St Andrews Hockey Club formed?  1923. 

15. What did the teams with the best goal differences in the Division 1 competition in 1986, 1996 and 2006 have in common?  They all failed to make the grand final that year (Norths - 1986; Bulimba - 1996; Easts - 2006).

Redcliffe Leagues' James Hawley holds off Pine Rivers St Andrews tackler Nick Bolton.

Redcliffe Leagues' Jordan Harle attempts to make a tackle on Saints' Dylan Elliott.

Redcliffe Leagues goal scorer Alex Swann competes with Pine Rivers St Andrews
midfielder Brent Garske.

David Halliday gets a shot away despite the attention of Saints goalkeeper Nathan
Panetta and defender Luke Reddiex.  Photo by John Beale.

Dylan Elliott dispossess Alex Swann in midfield. Photo by John Beale.

Compiled by Lee Oliver.