Toowoomba’s top teams square off in President’s Cup thrillers
With silverware on the line Toowoomba’s top hockey teams put their skills to the test on Saturday. Check out our massive junior and senior action photo gallery.
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With silverware on the line, the action was fast and furious at Toowoomba’s Clyde Park on Saturday.
Toowoomba Hockey’s best teams – after round one of the season – put their skills to the test in President’s Cup matches.
The Chronicle sport was on the sideline to capture some of the action.
A1 FINALS
Red Lion (men) and Past High bookmarked a thrilling day of hockey with a gritty and exciting clash.
Thomas Burge and Red Lion set the tone early scoring in the sixth minute from a penalty corner.
Red Lion’s lead was short-lived though with Michael Logan levelling the score 10 minutes later.
The match finished all square at 1-1 but it wasn’t without its big moments.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities to score but were denied by some fantastic goalkeeping.
Past High’s Dylan Ready was a wall in goal and Brett Rollason made a number of key saves late to keep the scores level.
“It was a real defensive battle in the end,” Red Lion player Nick Bidgood said.
“We both scored early in the game and both sides had plenty of opportunities after that but in the end the defences were better.
“Both goalkeepers had really good games and were the standout players in the match.”
Down on players before the cup clash, Red Lion called on their reserves and promoted a few other players for the big match.
Bidgood was impressed with how well the ‘new’ players performed and hopes to a good season ahead.
“Playing for the team and doing your individual job well has always been our focus,” he said.
“I thought the players who we bought in for the game really stepped up and you could see that right across the field.
“Everyone did their job really well and that is good sign for the team – knowing we have the players ready to step up when we need them.”
With the match finishing in a draw Red Lion were award the cup after finishing round one of the competition in first.
Newtown Tigers clawed out an impressive 3-1 win over Past High in the women’s final.
Torrie Thies (9th minute) and Eloise McKenzie (22nd minute) got Newtown off to a flyer in the opening stages of the game.
Monique Thomas dragged Past High back into the game with goal, but Aimee Doveton’s strike in the 39th minute settled the game for Newtown.
A4 FINALS
Picking up their second title in three years, the A4 Rangeville women’s team were crowned champions in unlikely circumstances.
Norths opened the scoring in a closely fought match and Rangeville drew level with minutes to spare.
With the game finishing all square 1-1, Rangeville claimed the cup due to their higher first round finishing position.
“I wouldn’t say we were nervous but it was a bit stressful,” Rangeville captain Katie Williams said.
“We scored a very late (goal) right on the last buzzer.”
“We were all definitely wanting the win so, a little bit nervous at the end there.
Williams has been impressed with her team’s performances this season but acknowledged that despite the win, they still need to improve some key areas.
“There’s always things that we can improve on as a side,” she said.
“We’ve actually had a really good season this year, and we just thought of today as an opportunity to try some new things, some worked, some didn’t.
“I think our marking in defence could be better due to being more urgent.
“But as a side I thought that today our passing and team play was really strong.”
With the win comes a hoodoo for the side as they have historically not had success after lifting the cup.
“We’ve had some bad luck in the past after winning the President’s Cup, where we have made it to the grand final that same season but lost,” she said.
“So we are hoping we can turn our fortunes around.”
Williams made sure to compliment her opposition, and expressed her gratitude for a very hard fought final.
“They (Norths) are a great bunch of ladies to go out and compete against and it makes days like these even better knowing everyone is going to have a good time and everyone will support each other,” she said.
TOP PERFORMERS
RANGEVILLE
Rechelle Steinhardt: Really solid in the midfield, she made some amazing tackles and worried tirelessly in defence, and was a rock for the side in the centre.
Samie Archer: Had a really great game, she kept the side’s passing game very strong and she scored the late equaliser that gave her side the win, through ranking.
NORTHS
Judy Russell: Was very dangerous on the ball, showed great skill and was very quick on her feet around the field.
Hailey Warhurst: Had a great game, was deliberate with her passing and didn’t look out of place despite her being a bit younger.
In similar fashion, the A4 men’s final also ended in a deadlock.
This time it was a goalless affair which saw Newtown take out the trophy for the first time in recent memory.
“We haven’t ever won the Cup before I don’t think,” winning captain Matthew Russell said.
“It’s weird, we hadn’t been one the podium for so long but then today and last year we won the grand final, against the same team (Red Lion).
“We’ve got a little rivalry going now so it’s great.”
Russell put down his side’s recent turn of fortunes to the number of juniors in the current side.
“We have a great bunch of juniors coming through, and we actually have a mixture of juniors and their fathers who are playing in the same team.
“Our team has turned into one big happy family, that’s how I look at it anyway.
“It’s also great because the young guys can play with us and hopefully we can help them develop and move up the ranks.”
TOP PERFORMERS
NEWTOWN
Bailey Payne: The young gun has a nice little dink on him and controlled the ball very well throughout the match. He also put up a few good shots on goal.
Seb Doyle: Very solid on the defensive side of the ball, Russell said that they, “rely on Sebby at fullback.” Doyle also showed he is quite mobile, and was able to make clutch plays as a result.
Stewart Eddy: Very boisterous and a wall in front of the net, the keeper was huge for his side making some very difficult saves in the last few minutes of the game.
PICTURES FROM THE DAY
SENIORS A4 FINALS
JUNIORS – UNDER 11’S
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