Easts give Tigerstix something to ponder
LABRADOR admit they have work to do after going down to Easts in the first game of their Brisbane Hockey League premiership defence.
Easts came from behind to win 4-2 in a clash of the 2019 grand finalists.
Labrador coach Darren Fowler said his side paid the penalty for costly turnovers in letting a 2-1 halftime lead slip through their grasp.
“It was a good start but in the third quarter we slackened off a bit,” he said of the match played at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre on Saturday.
“We made some poor decisions with the ball, turned it over too much and they capitalised on it.
“I think it was good to play Easts in the first game so we know where we are at and we’ve got work to do to get back where we were last year.
“It’s a disappointing start but we play Commercial next week, who are another top-five side.”
The scoreline was a reversal of Labrador’s 4-2 win in last year’s premiership decider.
Teenager Riley Nimmo was especially strong in his BHL debut, filling in for regular goalkeeper Aaron Weiss.
Easts opened the scoring in the eighth minute of the match but Labrador equalised soon after through a Brad Hughes field goal.
Tigerstix skipper Joe Reardon added their second goal moments before halftime.
Easts took the ascendancy in the third quarter, with James Easton scoring two field goals in six minutes to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.
Missed opportunities in the final quarter cruelled the Tigerstix’s chances.