Past High shows plenty of bite at Tiger Turf Cup
HOCKEY: Past High has made an encouraging start to its pre-season ahead of the women’s A1 season.
Competing at the Tiger Turf Cup in Brisbane, the Toowoomba side was able to secure a quarterfinal berth before being narrowly eliminated from the tournament.
It marked the clubs most impressive performance at the event in over a decade of attendance, and coach Bernie Fox couldn’t be happier with how they performed.
“We had a tough group on the first day with the toughest Brisbane clubs out there in University, Easts and Saint Andrews,” Fox said.
“We came through that group on top having won two games and drew the other.
“When we got to the second day, we came up against probably one of the weaker teams, but they were able to beat us with the one goal.
“That put us behind which you can’t afford in the quarters, but the girls played extremely well throughout and they certainly enjoyed it.
“It gives us plenty of confidence moving forward. We don’t go down there to win, but to have a good pre-season and good start to the year which worked for us.”
Past High was able to take out its first match against Saint Andrews with a 1-0 defeat, before drawing 0-all with eventual champions Eastern Suburbs and defeating University of Queensland 2-0 in its final pool game.
They weren’t able to take that form into day two however, being edged out by Ascot (0-1) in the quarterfinal and Kedron Wavell (1-2) in the plate semi.
Played with nine-a-side and 10-minute halves, it gave Past High an ideal first outing, and provided Fox with the opportunity to blood some younger players into the squad.
“We got the chance to play a couple of 15 and 16 year olds, and for them to stand up in that competition is extremely good,” he said.
“It gives them valuable experience and they were able to play with no fear.
“There were some pretty big names, including Queensland players, but they just went out and played, and it gives them a great start to the season.
“It should definitely give them a boost come training time.”
The club is in talks with an Ipswich-based side for a final trial in March as they prepare to launch into the Toowoomba Hockey Association Agrade season.
Past High finished the women’s A1 season in third in 2019.