Cairns Hockey: Brothers youngsters step up in fighting draw
They are still yet to taste victory this season, but Brothers coach Phil Dumpleton was left impressed by the way his young side stepped up in a fighting 1-1 draw against Saints.
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They are still yet to taste victory this season, but Brothers coach Phil Dumpleton was left impressed by the way his young side stepped up in a fighting 1-1 draw against Saints.
It was end-to-end hockey from the first hooter at Saturday night’s Cairns Hockey Association A-grade women’s clash, and the Fury were first to strike when Mia Hodge buried a drag flick effort from a penalty corner late in 25th minute.
Brothers defended their 1-0 lead into the second half, with goal keeper Ella McLeod making some crucial saves, but Saints skipper Teneal Kelly would eventually find a way through in the 53rd minute to level the scores.
The Fury went on the attack late in the game, but were unable to score the go-ahead goal and notch their first win of the season, with the side sitting on two draws and five losses.
Dumpleton said it was an impressive result for “a very young-look team”, which was missing some of their most experienced, yet also young, players.
“Jess Fatnowna and Shaylee Atkinson were both out, so we had Renee Barber come from the backs up into the centre and I think she played a really strong position in there, with Ash Seivers just helping out as well,” he said.
He said conceding the late goal could be put down to the number of players in the side backing up from other divisions.
“I think the legs ran out, all of the girls bar one either played S1s or under-18s on Friday night, so the legs ran out a little bit in the second half,” he said.
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“But to still be attacking in the last two minutes of the game, it was a really good effort from the ladies, just unfortunate to not get the three points.”
The side will have a relaxed week at training, before next weekend’s A-grade double header to close out the regular season.
“It’s potentially the last session of the year, so we’ll have a bit of a fun session and just prep them up for next weekend,” Dumpleton said.
“We’ve got two games next weekend, plus the S1, plus the B-grade, so potentially five games for some of the girls.”
RESULTS
Women’s
Saints 1 draw Brothers 1
Souths 0 draw Stingers 0
Men’s
Stingers 2 d Souths 1
Saints 2 d Brothers 0
Originally published as Cairns Hockey: Brothers youngsters step up in fighting draw