Tassie back on track after sticking it to ACT
AFTER suffering a narrow opening-game loss to Western Australia, Tasmania’s Over 40s men’s hockey side got back in the medal hunt with a 4-1 thumping of ACT.
Playing-coach Stephen McMullen, Brett Withington and Matthew Selby were exceptional for the home side who opened the scoring through Derek Henry in the ninth minute.
The hosts then effectively buried the contest with two goals in as many minutes midway through the second quarter from the sticks of Stuart Withington and Peter Boyles.
Boyles’ goal was his third in two matches, moving him top of the goal-scoring charts.
A penalty corner goal to ACT narrowed the deficit before half time before Tasmania boosted their goal difference with a fourth goal completed by Brent Cleaver.
“We’re happy with the win and we had better structure and composure today which was pleasing,” McMullen commented post-match.
“Our first half was poor yesterday which cost us but given the group had never been together on the field, it was going to take some time to jell.”
Tasmania next face Queensland at 5.30pm tonight after they fell to Victoria, while our gold medal favourite Over 35s team is back in action against Queensland at 2pm.
“There’s no front runner at this stage really and it’s pretty open at this point. It’s a big challenge tomorrow for us against Queensland and we’re not underestimating the road ahead.”
In other results on day three, Tasmania’s Over 45s drew 0-0 with NSW, while the Over 40 Division Two side defeated NSW 2-0.
The Over 45 Division Two side fell 5-0 to Queensland and the Over 55 Division Two side fell 2-1, also at the hands of Queensland.