Top goal does the business for Tassie

A THUNDERBOLT by youngster Alex Hogan-Jones has guided Tasmania to a seventhplaced finish in its inaugural New Zealand Hockey League campaign in Auckland with a 3-2 victory over Midlands.

Level at 2-2 with five minutes remaining and down to three substitutes, Hogan-Jones snuck forward and belted a reverse-stick strike into the roof of the net for the winner.

Earlier, Brenton Watson secured his second goal in consecutive games to cancel out Midlands’ early opener.

After Midlands added another early in the third quarter, Tasmanian vice-captain Ben Read drew the teams level with a penalty-corner flick before Hogan-Jones’ heroics.

Read said the experience of playing in New Zealand’s elite competition had ticked all the boxes for the Tasmanian team.

“All the guys are keen to return next year. There’s been massive improvements made, particularly for those guys with less experience,” Read said. “One key point is the importance of doggedness in defence, because the Tigers have been known for it for 5-6 years now and this group really grasped that concept really well.”

While pitched as a developmental team, Read believes several youngsters have put their hand up for Tigers debuts in the coming weeks.

“For me, Josh Brooks well and truly put his hand up for Hockey One selection. His ball handling and workrate was exceptional and what a player he is threatening to become.

“Another is Henry Chambers who I expect will be in the net for Hockey One sooner rather than later, while youngsters like Hogan-Jones, Aiden van Staden, Will Smith and Tom Broadby have played really well over the tournament.”

Hayden Beltz received both the coaches’ award and players’ award.