Saints and Brothers push hard

THE final round of the Cairns Hockey A-Grade competition finished in style with Saints women and Brothers men putting the competition on notice with impressive performances.

Saints women put six goals past a young Brothers side. Goals from Kate Best (two), Sophie Golver (two), Shana Coyle and Leila Alexander saw the Blue girls remind the competition they are a real threat leading into the finals series next week.

Saints co-coach Peter Rowe is excited by the development of the younger players in the squad. Young striker Layla Alexander has impressed her coach with her attitude and improvement towards the end of the season.

“Her commitment week in, week out is great and she deserved her first A-Grade goal on the weekend.”

Saints were also without key defender Chrissy Benn on the weekend but didn’t look out of place with Gabi McArthur stepping in.

“Gabi is one of our younger players but she is also experienced for her age. She will be a big player for us leading into finals,” Rowe said. Saints will take on Stingers this weekend in an elimination semi-final.

In the other women’s match, Stingers and South’s battled out a tough 0-0 draw.

Brothers Men came away with a dominant 2-1 victory over Saints. Striker Alistair Mais, who is the top scorer for Brothers with five goals, is impressed with the squad’s improved consistency.

“We know this will be the difference at the back end of the year and you can see the boys have lifted in the last few matches,” Mais said.

Fellow striker Nathan Riley impressed with two goals.

In the other Men’s fixture, Souths Men were back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Stingers. Souths will now have the weekend off before playing the winner of next week’s elimination semi-final between Brothers and Saints.