Rangeville keeps hot form
HOCKEY: Last year’s women’s A1 premiers started their season in the best possible fashion.
The incumbent champions were clinical in recording a 7-1 first round defeat of Norths at the weekend as they commenced their title defence.
In the weekend’s other fixture, Red Lion edged out Past High, claiming a 2-1 victory.
Toowoomba Hockey Association committee representative Emma Ziviani said it was an impressive start for Rangeville.
“Rangeville, who won last year, look very dominant again this year,” she said.
“Past High and Red Lion were both close, and they can challenge. We are yet to see Newtown just yet.”
The men continued their pre-season Iron Jack Club Glenvale competition with further tight results.
The Stafford Strikers scored a narrow 5-4 win over the SQPS Scorers, while the HSR Hot Shots and GCC Pink Bats couldn’t be split, finishing with a 3-all tie.
In a coup for the THA, the league has experienced growth with additional teams added across various divisions.
This growth has been experienced across junior grades and the inclusion of a social masters division, aimed at increasing involvement.
“We’ve kicked off the season with seven extra teams,” Ziviani said.
“The teams are predominately juniors and new masters teams. There has been an influx in junior teams, particularly in the U11s and U13s boys and girls, which are very strong this year.
“There is a new masters competition starting this week, with a new social division.
“The new division was started to try and make it more about participation in the sport. Masters is for over 35s, and there are still a lot of A-graders playing.
“When it was originally started, most weren’t playing Agrade, so it has become more and more competitive.”
THA FIXTURES AT CLUB GLENVALE, 8 MARCH
A1 Women: Red Lion vs Rangeville at 6.45pm, Newtown vs Past High at 8.10pm.
Men: Scorers vs Pink Bats at 6.45pm, Hot Shots vs Strikers at 8.10pm.