Banks defeat Palmerston Saints 3-1 in physical Round 12 affair

Banks’ hockey team were able to score a win against Palmerston in a physical affair. Read the latest league results.

It certainly wasn’t the prettiest of victories but Banks’ men’s TPL side will take three points any way they can.

Desperately needing the win in order to stay in the fight for finals, Banks needed to dig deep to overcome a very gutsy and committed Palmerston Saints.

Banks couldn’t have asked for a better start to the contest, finding the back of the net in the opening 40 seconds.

The boys in blue continued to control the play for most of the quarter till a fantastic bit of teamwork resulted in Saints levelling the score after intercepting the ball on the halfway line.

The second period was a typical back and forth affair that saw both teams unable to capitalise on quality scoring chances, plus some great work between the sticks from both goalies.

The third was a bit more frantic with both sides becoming more physical on and off the ball.

Banks’ Peter Pangquee slotted the ball in the bottom right of Saints’ goal, taking his team to a one goal advantage into the final term.

Banks' Billy Fahy and Emma Lodge. Picture: Hockey NT.

Neither side backing down, the two teams continued to press their case despite fatigue beginning to kick in.

Receiving their second green card of the game, then a yellow followed by a sub for a suspected head-knock, Banks were visibly red-lining but continued to thwart Saints’ attacking efforts.

Palmerston ended up pulling their goal keeper with 4 mins 50 secs remaining in the game, continuing their assault with an extra body.

Banks managed to keep out Saints’ efforts despite their man advantage and scored the game sealing goal seconds before the final buzzer.

Labouring with a knee knock for the entirety of the game, Banks’ talisman Billy Fahy said the win was well earned.

“We were already down with a player in the bin then to have the goalie subbed out meant we were two players down which made it very tricky to defend for those final minutes,” he said.

“We stuck it out, and each of us fought till the end and the win is great for our finals push and for the team’s (spirit) as a whole.”

TPL RESULTS (Round 12)

Men:

Banks 3 def. 1 Palmerston Saints

East Darwin 3 def. 2 Nightcliff Tigers

Waratah 4 def. 2 Commerce Pints

Women:

Palmerston Saints 2 def. 1 Banks

East Darwin 5 def. 1 Nightcliff Tigers

Commerce Pints 7 def. 1 Waratah

TPL player scores 8 goals in single match

East Darwin’s Isaac Farmilo has continued his sublime return to the TPL following a four year absence.

The New South Welshmen has been unstoppable in front of the sticks, netting a mind-boggling 29 goals in just eight matches this season.

Farmilo added to his tally in his team’s Round 11 clash against Waratah where he scored eight goals.

East went on to win the contest in commanding fashion 12-1, putting them top of the table with 10 wins and one loss.

Farmilo, who started his hockey journey in Tamworth, spent 10 seasons playing for the Norwest Strikers in Sydney’s premier league before taking his talent to England in 2023.

The sharpshooter decided to reunite with his family in the Top End and give the DHL another crack.

“My family moved up to Darwin from Tamworth in 2020, so after coming back from overseas I wanted to spend more time with them,” he said.

“The Territory Premier League is a good standard of hockey and a different challenge.

“Every team has some high quality players and the league, from what I hear, is only getting better.”

Isaac Farmilo pictured mid scoring shot. Picture: Hockey NT.

Farmilo’s coach Craig White was in awe of his new recruit, but wasn’t surprised with his efforts in the slightest.

“It’s not a regular occurrence to witness eight goals from one player in a single game of hockey,” he said.

“Isaac would say it was a team effort.

“Apart from having an excellent drag flick on penalty corners, Isaac has the ability to score field goals from anywhere in the circle.

“He is very hard to shut down, is disciplined, and has an extremely high work rate.”

White also explained how much value Farmilo has brought to his team, saying that if sides do put all their attention on him, it just benefits his other players.

“If other teams focus on shutting him down, it just opens the way for our other scoring options to take their opportunities,” he said.

“Isaac has slotted into our team and our culture perfectly and brought with him a wealth of experience (from NSW and a recent stint in England).

“He’s a great team player.”

TPL RESULTS (Round 11)

Men:

Nightcliff Tigers 4 def. 0 Palmerston Saints

East Darwin 12 def. 1 Waratah

Commerce Pints 1 drew 1 Banks

Women:

Nightcliff Tigers 3 def. 2 Palmerston Saints

East Darwin 11 def. 0 Waratah

Commerce Pints 7 def. 0 Banks