Rangeville returns to summit, Red Lion men escape in a shootout cliffhanger

A dramatic penalty shootout in the A1 men’s final capped off a huge Toowoomba Hockey grand final day at Clyde Park.

Rangeville take out the women's A1 hockey grand final from Past High. Picture: Nev Madsen

HOCKEY: On Toowoomba Hockey’s biggest day, the big guns stood up to be counted.

A Tatum Stewart masterclass helped Rangeville return to the top of the summit with a 2-0 defeat of Past High in the women’s A1 final at Clyde park.

An intense first half saw neither side unable to break the deadlock, setting up a big second half for whoever wanted to take it over.

That person was Tatum Stewart, who broke Past High down with an intercept, found Lauryn Anderson in the midfield, with a finish from Katie Wollstein to get Rangeville on the board midway through the third term.

It was another Stewart intercept early in the fourth quarter that would seal the win, this time finding a running Tannah Hood, who launched a backhand shot to extend the advantage.

“I’m super proud of these girls,” coach Elke Swain said.
“Early on we just wanted to make the final four. Once we did I knew we had the team that could do this, it was just reminding them, and we did it.

“It was tough. Past High played a very good game as always. We had our goals that we wanted to achieve in the game and we were able to.”

Swain said they laid the platform for the performance in the first half, and a Stewart boost helped them get the edge.

“We were doing everything right. Our defence was good and our attack was getting it up there but just not able to finish off,” she said.

“Tatum turned up and the whole team just lifted to the level we know we should’ve been playing at.

“There was a great build up for the first goal and finish from Katie Wollstein. Tannah got another in the fourth where she backed herself and took the shot.”

Elliott Speed for Red Lion and Alex Hilton for Norths. Picture: Nev Madsen

RED LION HOLDS OUT NORTHS

It was then followed up with Red Lion and Norths playing out a thrilling shootout, that saw the former complete the President’s Cup-A1 men’s double.

After 70 gruelling minutes, the two sides were unable to be split at 2-all.

Norths got the scoring underway late in the first quarter with an explosive Carter Mogg shot from a penalty corner giving them first blood.

Red Lion hit straight back however, with Elliott Speed given some room to move in the forward circle, slotting home a backhanded shot to tie the game up.

Again Norths was able to take their chances from a short corner, with Zac Gooderham firing to send his team into the main break up 2-1.

With less than five minutes to play, Red Lion needed someone to stand up.

That proved to be John Burge, with a long cross into the circle, and Corey Guse finishing it off to send the game to extra time.

Alex Hilton denied Lachlan Brownhalls first, with Liam Brown scoring to give Norths the early advantage.

Hilton again stopped the shot of Oliver Harding, but Red Lion keeper Daniel Burge did the same to Kris Glass.

Craig Smith finally got Red Lion on the board, and scores remained tied with Ben Edwards’ shot going left of the upright.

Guse and James Cunliffe had no dramas finding the back of the net to move the scores to 2-all with one shot remaining.

Michael Boyd answered the call to put Red Lion in front 3-2, leaving Will Suey with a chance to extend the shootout.

A diving Burge denied him, giving Red Lion another A1 crown.

“We had a decision to make whether to take an experienced player like Brett Rollason into the grand final or a really good up and comer in Dan Burge,” coach Scott Downs said.

“It was a really tough choice, but in the end we went with Dan. Brett took it on the chin and stood up for the club, and Dan came to the party in the shootout.”

Downs praised the way his side was able to overcome adversity this season,

“We’ve had a tough year and had to come back from some fairly big body hits,” he said.

“The words that spring to mind are resilience, preparation, mateship and the subordination of individual needs for the betterment of the group.

“I’m so proud and pleased to be the coach of this group, but at this point they’re coaching themselves.

“They come off at breaks and know what they have to do. They knew what to do if they went a goal down.

“Credit to Norths, they defended great, and Kris Glass defended like a machine. He’s still in the top two or three players in Toowoomba. He’s a superstar.”

Will Ready, Eloise McKenzie and Callum McCurley-Ault. Photo: The Chronicle

Eight players to watch in Toowoomba Hockey J1 finals

HOCKEY: It’s the division that has proven to be a springboard for Toowoomba’s elite junior nursery.

The J1 boys and girls will get their chance in the spotlight this weekend as part of Toowoomba Hockey’s grand final day at Clyde Park.

To celebrate the bumper clashes, we look at the eight players to watch in the J1 grand finals.

J1 BOYS

TOM CAMPBELL (RANGEVILLE)

A pillar in the midfield, Campbell is a current member of the Queensland U18s squad, and has been a strong player throughout the season.

“He brings a lot of confidence to the team. Tom is very skilful and talented,” coach Karl Harland said.

“He has a bit of speed and size about him, and is a state representative. I believe he’s going to go a long way.”

Tom Campbell. Picture: Kevin Farmer

WILL READY (PAST HIGH)

A regular in state teams, the Hawks midfielder is strong on the ball and isn’t backward in taking a forward step.

“He loves his hockey and he’s just good at it,” manager Deb Cronk said.

“He’s constantly growing and wanting to take his game further. He’s a good all-round player, but very good in attack and is eager at the ball.”

Will Ready. Picture: Kevin Farmer

CALLUM MCCURLEY-AULT (RANGEVILLE)

Another Rangeville player that boasts a plethora of representative honours, the central player adds depth in both defence and attack for the Bulldogs.

“Callum gives it his all and that 100 per cent sort of player,” Harland said.

“He has very good technical skills and is a solid defender as well. He’s a good leader on the field and a strong all-round player.”

Callum McCurley-Ault. Photo: Nev Madsen

JACK MCKEWEN (PAST HIGH)

The Past High captain, McKewen is looking to end his tenure in the junior ranks as a winner. Boasts versatility to play anywhere on the field.

“Jack is in his final year of juniors,” Cronk said.

“He normally plays at the back but is very versatile. He’s strong in defence but is easygoing and can excel wherever he is playing.”

Jack McKewen. Picture: Kevin Farmer

J1 GIRLS

ELOISE MCKENZIE (NEWTOWN)

The striker/forward has a fair bit of A1 experience, and has used that time in the senior grades to become a real leader of the Tigers.

“Skill wise she’s pretty slick,” coach Josh McPaul said.

“Eloise brings pretty good attack and striking to the team. She’s one of the senior members of the team and has put a fair few goals away for us.
“She’s a gamechanger when she’s on.”

Eloise McKenzie. Picture: Kevin Farmer

TANNAH HOOD (RANGEVILLE)

Hood has representative experience with Queensland, and has made the step up to A1 senior level with ease this season as a striking presence in the forward line.

“She’s got good speed off the ball and control when she’s on it,” A1 Rangeville coach Elke Swain said.

“Tannah has tight skills and can eliminate with her skills. She’s a nice little player of the future.”

Tannah Hood. Photo: Bev Lacey

EMMA BRADBURY (NEWTOWN)

A staunch defender in the Newtown backline, Bradbury is another Tiger that has brought her experience in the senior grades back to the junior level.

“Emma keeps cool and in control of the game,” McPaul said.

“She has stepped up when we’ve needed her. She’s strong and cool-headed.

“She can pull out some strong tackles and not let anyone past her.”

Emma Bradbury (left). Photo: Nev Madsen

LILY KEMPH (RANGEVILLE)

The brick wall at the back for Rangeville, Kemph has been a revelation in the net for Rangeville at J1 and senior level in 2021.

“She’s a kid who really wants to learn,” Swain said.

“Lily is always willing to listen, she tries hard and takes feedback on board. I know she’s always going to put in 110 per cent in the net.”

Lily Kemph Picture: Nev Madsen

Late goals seal grand final berths

HOCKEY: Fourth quarter drama was the order of the night as Toowoomba Hockey determined its grand final teams.

Rangeville booked its spot in the A1 women’s grand final with a 1-0 win over Red Lion in the preliminary final at Clyde Park.

A fierce finals battle between two old rivals saw defence as the order of the night, with both sides unable to break down their opposition through three quarters.

The moment of the game came 12 minutes from time, when an alert Kirsty Tolputt followed up her flick from a penalty corner.

The original shot was deflected, however Tolputt remained active, taking possession close to goal and slotting home the matchwinner.

A yellow card minutes later to Tannah Hood gave Red Lion a player advantage, but Rangeville was able to hold on until the final siren.

“Red Lion started really strong and we struggled for the first quarter,” Brooke Thompson said.

“Nerves kick in during semi finals, but with our experience we were able to gain composure.

“It was a relief to score that goal. We knew we had to win and we were trying a bit too hard. Then we were able to reset and defend the rest of the game.”

It marks a big turnaround for the Bulldogs, who Thompson said were just hoping to make the finals at one point throughout the season.
“We started the season slowly and just to make it to the final has been a big achievement for us,” she said.
“Halfway through the year the goal was just to make it in the top four. We were pretty confident if we could get to that stage that we could make it all the way.”

A dramatic finish in the men’s preliminary final saw Norths qualify for the decider with a last-ditch equaliser.

In what proved to be a back-and-forth encounter, Newtown either held the lead or was tied for 69 minutes of the game, until a late goal sunk them.

A long ball from Liam Brown to Kris Glass saw them work the ball into the forward circle, with Ben Edwards able to draw a penalty corner.

The flick from Brown was strong, and a pinpoint shot from Zac Gooderham tied the scores at 3-all, enough for Norths to advance on a higher placing.