Step-up lifts Schenk’s game
ASHTON Schenk can already see the improvement in his game.
The 15-year-old Souths midfielder stepped up to senior grades for the first time last season, and was forced to quickly adapt to a faster-paced, more physically punishing style of hockey.
“You have to adjust pretty quickly,” Schenk said.
“There’s a bigger emphasis in work off the ball in seniors compared to the age division. You have to be thinking about what you’re going to do next.”
While he will wear Souths’ uniform again when the Cairns Hockey season begins, Schenk is playing for the under-18s in the preseason competition.
Four representative teams have replaced clubs for the Friday night competition, with teams from Cairns, All Stars (comprised of players from outside Cairns), Under-18s and Tablelands.
They took to the Cairns North turf for the first time last week, and Schenk’s Under-18s drew 3-all draw with Cairns.
“It was pretty good to be back out there after a few months off,” he said.
“We’ll just have to put more time into our fitness.”
Tomahawks beat All Stars 3-2 in the other men’s game, and earned a 4-3 win against Cairns’ Singapore tour team.
The second round of the pre-season competition will be played on Friday night.
Cairns take on All Stars in the 6pm Rainforest Turf game, before Schenk’s Under-18s face Tablelands at 7.20pm. The women’s teams face off on the Reef Turf again from 7.20pm.