Tassie survives shootout

TASMANIA is on track for a fifth-placed finish in its inaugural New Zealand Hockey League campaign after Hayden Beltz secured a sudden-death shootout victory against Southern Dogs

With scores locked 2-2, the teams went to penalties with goalkeeper Henry Chambers and Beltz starring in a 6-5 shootout triumph.

“This tournament has no draws and I think that makes for exciting viewing, while it’s always nice to be on the winning side in a shootout,” vice-captain Ben Read said.

“We had some tired bodies out there, but it was great to see the lads pull through and get the result.”

“This puts us in a decent position to play for fifth spot if we can secure another win on Saturday.”

Oliver Smith and Beltz had both found the net in regulation time as Tasmania battled despite having two less rotations from the bench.

James Thomas missed the first penalty before Chambers made an elite left-foot save off an opposition spin move, before both sides traded conversions.

Josh Brooks and Beltz converted their attempts.

With the order reversed in sudden death, Smith and Brooks converted their opportunities and after Chambers denied Southern, Beltz stepped up to secure a bonus point for the visitors.

Tasmania’s women fell 1-0 to a goal with five minutes left against Otago, with the opposing goalkeeper awarded Player of the Match.

“Our efforts in the tackle were outstanding today and we had some great passing passages and continue to make great development,” coach Susan Brooks said.