Tasmanian men and women qualify for semi-finals of national titles

Tasmania’s golden generation of budding hockey stars is continuing to make their mark on the national stage after recording a historic first. Here’s what we know.

Tasmania is on a historic run at the national championships. Photo: Click InFocus

Tasmania’s under-21 hockey teams have created history, with both men’s and women’s sides storming into the semi-finals of the Australian Championships in Bendigo with resounding 4-1 quarter-final victories.

Never before had both Tasmanian sides qualified for the top-four in the same championship. The closest they have come in 2017 at under-18 level, where the boys finished fourth spot and the girls secured fifth.

The women, coached by Tim Stevens, will play against ACT for a spot in the gold medal game after demolishing South Australia thanks to a brace from Demi Walker and extras from Taylor Brooks and Sophie Kruimink.

“It’s tremendous to see the under-21s follow on from the Tassie Tigers women’s top-four finish in the Hockey One League, which is such a positive thing for female sport in the state,” Stevens said.

“I’m so proud of this win because we started a little slowly by conceding the first goal, however the team pulled together and lifted their work rate to overrun SA in a very disciplined performance.

“The team is building confidence with each performance, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves and are focused on the big challenge that ACT presents.

“We know that if we execute our way of play, we have a product that can be successful against any team which relies on the contribution of every player and working hard for each other.”

The men’s side, led by Ben Read, were dominant throughout their 4-1 defeat of ACT and only inefficiency prevented them securing a bigger margin.

After a goalless opening 40 minutes, Max Johnstone struck with back-to-back penalty corner flicks to release the pressure valve, before Ruben Hoey and Oscar Sproule added late extras.

“We created a truck load of chances early on and despite not taking advantage of them, we stuck to how we wanted to play and reaped the rewards in the second half,” Read said.

“We had a really slow start to the tournament, but we are starting to find some good form at the right time.”

In somewhat of a surprise, all four sides from pool-A went on to win their knockout clashes, with Tasmania set to play NSW, who thumped the previously undefeated Queensland 7-0.

The men will pushback at 12.10pm, while the women play at 2.20pm on Friday, with the action live streamed at livehockey.com.