Scorers, Vixens take out respective Club Glenvale Challenge crowns

Josh McPaul and Mai Connor played their roles for their respective sides as the Club Glenvale Challenge came to a close. We caught up with the two local stars of the sport.

HOCKEY: They set the tempo from the opening round, and the SQPS Scorers cashed in when it counted the most.

The Scorers claimed the Club Glenvale Challenge men’s crown at Clyde Park, taking home a 4-1 victory over Stafford’s Strikers.

Holding a slender 1-0 lead at the main break, two field goals and a conversion helped the Scorers open up an unassailable advantage.

Josh McPaul landed two goals in the match, taking home player of the series honours in the process.

“I’m very proud of that,” McPaul said.

“Full credit to the boys for getting me there, and I was able to put away a few goals. Hopefully I did them proud. It’s quite a humbling result for myself.

“It was a hard contest that could’ve gone either way. Once you score in a final, the game opens up and the scrambling starts.

“We worked hard to get that first one on the board, and when we got a couple it was hard to chase down.”

The honour continues a massive week for McPaul after he was named in the Australian indoor hockey squad.

“It’s always good making the Australian side. It’s not everyday you make it,” he said.

“Hopefully I can do the country and Toowoomba proud.”

The CS Vixens finished second after the regular season, and an early strike gave them the momentum to knock off Ruhle’s Rebels 3-0 in the women’s final.

Emily Payne scored towards the end of the first quarter and converted the field goal to open up a 2-0 lead, before captain Amanda Ross finished off proceedings in the closing stages.

Mai Connor received the player of the series award, and credited the influence of her coaching to create such an impression in the tournament.

“It’s the training sessions,” she said.

“Matt (Cook) has a really smart hockey brain and know’s what he’s doing. He’s helped a lot throughout the season and it has shown in our games.

A shadow player for the Queensland U18s side, Connor is aiming to wear the maroon once again in the future.

“I’m already 18 so I’ll move up to opens and that’s going to be my next goal. It’s what drives me,” she said.

“Our normal A-grade club hockey is back and I’ve also been selected to represent Toowoomba in Brisbane.”

16 players to watch on grand final night

MEN

CAMPBELL COGHLAN (STRIKERS)

“Campbell has been a good leader for us throughout the last six weeks,” co-coach Craig Smith said.

“We’ll be looking for him to drive the boys around the park as a defensive midfielder.”

JOSH MCPAUL (SCORERS)

“He’s the leading goalscorer in the competition and has just been named in the Australian indoor squad,” coach Ryan Williams said.

“A key player for us up front and we’re looking for him to keep his good form.”

WILL READY (STRIKERS)

“Will plays attacking midfield and has been building into the U18s nationals,” Smith said.

“Is developing his game well for a big season.”

LACHLAN BROWNHALLS (SCORERS)

“The midfield is going to be a key battleground for us,” Williams said.

“Lachlan is a quality midfielder in an area where we will need to be very strong. He will be a key part of that.”

LUKE SIEBUHR (STRIKERS)

“Luke is a talented young midfielder/back,” Smith said.

“He is stepping up into A-grade for the year.”

JAY MOGG (SCORERS)

“He’s been a crucial part of our defensive structure, and Jay leads by example as captain,” Williams said.

“He scrambles really well and makes good tackles that boost the team.”

NICK BIDGOOD (STRIKERS)

“Nick has been taking on a new role as fullback,” Smith said.

“He’s been driving the team around with his communication and passing.”

ALEX CRONK (SCORERS)

“At the back with Jay, they’re generally critical to our success,” Williams said.

“I picked him earlier as the quiet achiever, and he’s always there in the right spot and does his job. That combination at the back is important to us winning.”

WOMEN

AMANDA ROSS (VIXENS)

“Amanda is our captain and with any captain, you want them to lead by example,” coach Emmi Tummon said.

“She can hold that structure in our backline and be our leader. She has plenty of experience with grand finals and pressure, and will direct the team where needed.”

SAVANNAH TRAPP (REBELS)

“Recently picked in the Queensland U18s, Sav has been a focal point in our striker line,” co-coach Adrian Suey said.

“Worked hard over the last two years to come back from a knee reconstruction and is one of the premier strikers in the competition.”

ERIN MCCURLEY-AULT (VIXENS)

“Our workhorse in the middle, Erin is everywhere,” Tummon said.

“It’s not only her work, but she has amazing skills and is defensively versatile. We missed her last week, but having her slot back in, she will be able to cope with the pressure.”

LILY RICKETT (REBELS)

“Playing in the midfield this tournament, Lily is tenacious. I like her aggression and effort,” Suey said.

“Her work ethic is as good as any and hopefully she follows through with her form.”

MAI CONNOR (VIXENS)

“Our little pocket rocket, Mai is a young one going into the leadership group,” Tummon said.

“She controls the tempo of the strikers. We played her in the midfield but weren’t using her talents. Putting her as a striker allows us to get the most out of her.”

CAITLIN RUSS (REBELS)

“Our most experienced player to take to the field on Friday night, and we’ll be looking for her to lead the team in the absence of our captain,” Suey said.

“A calm, level-headed player which is what we need in the back field.”

GEORGINA GREIG (VIXENS)

“Our last line of defence, we can always rely on Georgina to pull off some magnificent saves,” Tummon said.

“There’s a few times where she could’ve been named player of the match. She really completes our team.”

SARAH BRADBURY (REBELS)

“I think she’s a tremendous goalkeeper that we have had to use through shootouts in recent times,” Suey said.

“You can’t put a price on experience in that position and hopefully she will keep a clean sheet for us.”

The stars of the Club Glenvale Challenge.

YOUNG GUNS, MVP CONTENDERS

HOCKEY: With the Toowoomba Hockey season right around the corner, the Club Glenvale Challenge is set to commence proceedings next week.

Four clubs will go to battle in both the men’s and women’s competitions, with plenty of familiar faces putting their hand up for the draft concept.

The Chronicle spoke to all eight clubs ahead of round one, to gather their young guns, MVP candidates and players they’re most looking forward to working with that they don’t at a club level.

MEN

Jack Hawthorne. Picture: Kevin Farmer

SQPS SCORERS

YOUNG GUN - JACK HAWTHORNE

“Jack has played state U18s over the last couple of years,” coach Ryan Williams said.

“He’s developed himself a bit more in A-grade and I hope that experience will help him to really develop his game even further.

“He’s a midfielder that runs hard and doesn’t stop.”

MVP CONTENDER - LACHLAN BROWNHALLS

“Lachlan is easily one of the most experienced players in our team,” Williams said.

“He’s played in the national league, has represented the state and has been a key player for Red Lion for the last 10-15 years.

“A major reason to pick him four our team is he’s good for the younger player to help them out, and is a critical player in the midfield to pull everything together.”

NEW FACE - ALEX CRONK

“He’s from Past High and had a bit of a breakout year last season in A-grade,” Williams said.

“He got picked in the Toowoomba opens team which made the final against Brisbane. We’re hoping we can continue to develop him.

“He’s a bit of a quiet fella so we want to help him find his voice on the field and take more of a senior role in the backs.”

Elliott Speed. Picture: Nev Madsen

CS VIKINGS

YOUNG GUNS - OLIVER HARDING, MATT HAWTHORNE AND RYAN BIDGOOD

“They’re all heading away next weekend to the U18s trials (for Queensland),” coach Grant Campbell said.

“They are three players that I’m looking to do some good things for us, and I’m hoping they can step up and give it a good crack.”

MVP CONTENDER - ELLIOTT SPEED

“Someone like Elliott has plenty of ability and I’ll be looking for him to lead the team,” Campbell said.

“He goes good up front, is a handy midfielder/striker and he can score plenty of goals.”

NEW FACE - BEN EDWARDS

“I’ve never coached Ben but he has plenty of ability,” Campbell said.

“He was one of the leaders of teams last year and he’s someone that can gel with the younger blokes.

“He can score, is a great passer and his vision is unreal.”

William Ready (centre). Picture: Kevin Farmer

STAFFORD STRIKERS

YOUNG GUN - WILLIAM READY

“Will is someone that has shown large potential throughout the last season,” co-coach Craig Smith said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing his growth in the midfield throughout the tournament.

“He’ll be surrounded by our captain Campbell Coghlan which will be a great experience for him.”

MVP - SCOTT RICHARDS

“He came back to the game last year after a bit of a break,” Smith said.

“He’s a former underage Australian representative and has a good, competitive nature.

“We have quite the young backline so it will be good for him to lead them.”

NEW FACE - LUKE SIEBUHR

“I played with Luke’s dad for 15 years in rep teams,” Smith said.

“Luke has come along really nicely as a junior of Toowoomba hockey. I think he’ll develop a lot throughout the program and he has a big few years ahead of him in the backline.”

Tom Campbell. Picture: Kevin Farmer

AGETAL FARMERS

YOUNG GUNS - LACHLAN ZIVIANI, DANIEL BURGE

“Locky and Daniel are both goalkeepers that are off to Queensland state trials this weekend,” coach Ryan Loxley said.

“It’s Locky’s first time playing consistent at a senior level. Daniel has played A-grade for a while with Red Lion. They’ve both got a good knowledge of the game.”

MVP CANDIDATE - TOM CAMPBELL

“Tom is another U18s Queensland contender,” Loxley said.

“A lot of our gameplay will revolve around his skillset. Playing in the midfield and centre-half he’s very keen on the ball and loves to be in the action.”

NEW FACE - ANDREW RICHARDS

“He’s been out of the game for a couple of years but is a very handy player, Loxley said.

“Andrew is an ex-Queesland Blades player. He’ll be rolling in the midfield line and passing on his knowledge to Tom.”

WOMEN

Keeper Sarah Steinhardt. Picture: Nev Madsen

SQPS SCORERS

YOUNG GUNS - BRIANNA AND STELLA SUEY

“I think Bri can make her mark in the competition, and teaming up with Stella there’s a family combination there,” co-coach Phil Macready said.

“Stella is one of the young guns coming through the Queensland U15s, so it will be good to see how she performs.”

MVP CONTENDER - AIMEE DOVETON

“She’s one of the premier players in the competition. I’ve coached against her so I’m looking forward to coaching her,” Macready said.

“She’s strong on the ball and has always displayed great leadership. Aimee has a great work ethic.”

NEW FACE - SARAH STEINHARDT

“She’s coming off a competition win with Rangeville last year,” Macready said.

“Sarah stood up through the whole year to help her team. To have that experience, she’ll be valuable for us in the net.”

Erin McCurley-Ault. Picture: Nev Madsen

CS VIXENS

YOUNG GUN - MAI CONNOR

“The young gun to watch out for would be Mai Connor,” co-coach Emmi Wilson said.

“She was dynamic and strong last year and will add strike power and support up front.”

MVP CONTENDERS - ERIN MCCURLEY-AULT, AMANDA ROSS

“MVP’s are hard to pick out at the start as it can shift through the season,” Wilson said.

“But Erin McCauley-Ault and Amanda Ross are great experienced senior players in our team and will be up there.”

NEW FACES

“I’m excited to work with all of our younger girls in the team that I don’t know,” Wilson said.

“I happen to know majority of our senior players, so seeing what we have coming through will be exciting.

“We’ll have a broad range in youth to experienced players where we all will learn from each other.”

Tannah Hood. Picture: Kevin Farmer

STAFFORD STRIKERS

YOUNG GUN - TANNAH HOOD

“Tannah was our second pick in the draft and we were pretty surprised she was still available,” co-coach Brooke Thompson said.

“She was one that we want to get. She’s a good strike up front and we’ve got a good mix in our striker line with a few older girls as well.”

MVP CONTENDERS - HEIDI PHILLIPS, SUE MARCUSSEN

“Heidi is always strong and holds everything together,” Thompson said.

“Sue has been an exceptional player for such a long time and is someone that is always helping out, especially our younger players.

“They’re strong players to have on our team and help to form a good spine.”

NEW FACES - TASH LOMBARD, MAGGIE PEMBROKE

“Tash is a goalkeeper and Maggie is a defender,” Thompson said.

“We like to bring some new people into our team and for us it was giving people the chance to have a go.

“They both haven’t played here before but it will be good to have fresh blood in the team.”

Ella Hagenbach. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RUHLES REBELS

YOUNG GUN - ELLA HAGENBACH

“She is one of our U15 players who this weekend is going to be away with the Queensland state selection trials,” co-coach Adrian Suey said.

“One of our up and comers. A Clifton girl that has been playing in the Toowoomba comp for the last few seasons.”

MVP CONTENDER - SARAH BRADBURY

“MVPs don’t usually come from this position, but Sarah has really come on in the last few seasons,” Suey said.

“She had a good Club Glenvale Challenge last year and is one of the best goalkeepers in the competition.”

NEW FACE - RACHEL MACREADY

“Rachel is someone who I haven’t dealt with in the past but is someone who has been a pretty experienced player in the A1 competition,” Suey said.

“I’m looking forward to working with her and to use her experience and knowledge to not only help out the young players, but everyone on the team.”