Souths down Saints in come-from-behind win

SOUTHS’ young brigade has ensured the club maintained its unbeaten record with a 3-2 win against a determined Saints outfit as the Cairns Hockey resumed.

Souths’ record stands at three wins from as many starts but the side was forced to scrap for the points with Saints pushing it all the way in a free-flowing affair.

The defending premiers trailed twice before finishing strongly to keep their perfect start to the season intact, even after a four-month break between the second and third rounds.

Saints got off to the perfect start with a goal in the fourth minute to Daniel Pittendreigh, but Souths were quick to respond when Glenn Geraghty scored a minute later.

Pittendreigh scored his second goal of the night in the 17th minute before Souths’ Joel Darbyshire found the equaliser two minutes before the break.

The arm wrestle continued into the second half, but it was Souths who broke the deadlock in the 47th minute when youngster Ashton Schenk finished off some silky lead-up work from experienced forward Mason Bombardieri.

Saints threw everything at Souths and had chances late through some threatening raids, but the defending premiers were able to hold on for the win and the outright top spot on the ladder.

Coach Carl Whipp praised the club’s young talents.

“I think every club’s going to be in the same boat this year where it’s going to be a changing of the guard, and the young fellas all put their hands up,” he said.

“We blooded a few of them last year, but with the change back to halves from quarters, they’re going to see a lot more time this year and they grabbed it with both hands.”