Gympie pipped at the post

IT was almost a fairytale finish for the Gympie Veteran women's hockey side playing in the state titles in Buderim at the weekend.

Picture: Codey Warhurst

IT was almost a fairytale finish for the Gympie Veteran women's hockey side playing in the state titles in Buderim at the weekend.

In their first state championship in more than eight years, the Gympie women went away hoping to play well.

But after not losing their first three games the Gympie girls found themselves at the top of their pool and then in the division final.

Gympie spokesperson and player Debbie Mackay said she thought the team would do well, but making the final was a bonus.

Gympie came up against Maryborough in the final after losing to them 3-1 the day before.

The Gympie girls were under the pump for the first 10 minutes of the game, but good defence by Janelle Walker, Julie Pagel and Debbie Cross held the Maryborough team out. Gympie's first and only goal came after a good pass from Walker was deflected by Tracey Warhurst into the path of Debbie Mackay.

Mackay kept her cool, ran into the circle and guided it past the keeper for Gympie to take a 1-0 lead.

Gympie upped the tempo after the goal with Di Dixon and Jodie Cousins attacking through the centre. Gympie was unlucky not to have a bigger lead at half time.

A warning about body contact by the umpires at half time failed to slow the Gympie girls' second half momentum, but a goal against the run of play by Maryborough with only five minutes to go equalled the score.

Gympie continued to attack but were unable to win the game before fulltime, sending the game into golden goal extra time. Gympie re-entered the field for 10 minutes of extra time with nine players knowing one goal would either win or lose them the title.

After 10 minutes the score was still locked at one all. So, both team lost another two players to play seven on seven for another 10. With both teams running out of steam the game was still deadlocked after the second 10 minute period. The last 10 minutes was played five against five and the ball went end to end without score until Gympie's Melissa Brown received the ball high. With only the goal keeper to beat she headed toward the goal box only for the hooter to sound an end the game. The game then went to strokes and Gympie lost 3-1. “It would have been nice to win - it was a really good game,” Mackay said.

“I thought we all played really well, but we lacked a bit of fitness.

“Everyone played their hearts out and put in huge effort, it was a great result for Gympie hockey and we can't wait until next year,” she said.

Originally published as Gympie pipped at the post