Team eyes blitz on titles
TOWNSVILLE under-18 captain Ben Judge has vowed the side will only improve when they take the field at the Murray Sporting Complex for the finals of the Queensland State Hockey Championships today.
Judge has been a crucial member of the side, providing a strong link between a staunch backline and lethal front line as they went undefeated during the opening two days. The Townsville 1 side sits atop the division two ladder and capped off the round games with a 7-0 demolition of their Townsville 2 counterparts.
But it was a scoreline that Judge believed should have been bigger after the side got off to a thrilling start with four goals in the opening quarter, including a double to the captain.
“We wanted 10 on them; we went hard at the start but just saved the legs at the end there ahead of finals,” he said.
“It is a bit of rivalry but it’s all good, they know it is just good fun. We all hockey together.”
Townsville forward Callum James is leading the way on goal with six for the tournament, while Judge (4) and teammate Max Spriggs (4) sit second and third in division two. They will all be looking for more today as the Townsville outfit aim to improve their intensity on the field as they hunt promotion back into division one of the championships next year.
“We are feeling confident; we would love to move back up play club into division one because I think with the team we have we probably deserve to be there,” Judge said. “Our connections, everyone’s ball movement has been really smooth and we know where everyone is going to be … we have that bond.”
Townsville 1 will play Gympie in the final at midday while Townsville 2, who finished the regular rounds in fifth spot, could have a chance to play off for third if they can beat fourth-placed Toowoomba in the first playoff at 8am.