Back-to-back victories at Condy Vets comp

Record number of teams take to the turf in the annual pre-season veterans carnival.

BACK-TO-BACK: Red Schwars are victorious in their title defence at the Condy Vets carnival, defeating the Newtown Tigers 2-0.

HOCKEY : There was no shortage of competition at the Condy Vets carnival, with defending champions Red Schwars winning back-to-back titles.

The 2–0 victory over the Toowoomba-based Newtown Tigers kept spectators entertained with the fast-paced style of play.

Keeping their competitors scoreless throughout the three-day carnival, Chris Forte said the tough field was one the team always looked forward to.

“Our ladies this weekend were just sensational, I think they were the difference between the teams,” he said.

“We had a clean sheet all weekend, we didn’t have a goal scored against us, which was nice.

“Isaac (Nunn) is a former over-35s Australian keeper, so we got him in this year.”

Warwick Hockey Association president Carly Hansen was impressed with the continued growth of the carnival, which had kicked off the new season for more than 10 years.

“They were very competitive games – it’s been 10 very equal teams,” Hansen said.

“It’s a good gauge on everyone’s fitness before the season starts, a lot of the players realise how much work they have to do.

“The older they get the more aggressive they get.”

The reduced format was one that appealed to the Redcliffe-based Red Schwars, with experienced players coming out of retirement to have another run.

“This one is more of a vets carnival, I think a lot of people played when they were younger and retired,” Forte said.

“It’s getting stronger and stronger, a lot of people are coming out of the woodwork to play this one, which is really good.”

With teams coming from across the southeast to play, Hansen is hopeful the carnival will continue to grow.

“We had a lot of teams from Ipswich, Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coast and then two teams from Warwick,” she said.

“We’ve had a couple of new teams come from Ipswich this year, which has been really good as word is getting out.

“It’s just a social competition that’s good fun.”

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