BULLDOGS EDGE OUT RED LION
HOCKEY: Fourth quarter drama was the order of the night as Toowoomba Hockey determined its grand final teams.
Rangeville booked its spot in the A1 women’s grand final with a 1-0 win over Red Lion in the preliminary final at Clyde Park.
A fierce finals battle between two old rivals saw defence as the order of the night, with both sides unable to break down their opposition through three quarters.
The moment of the game came 12 minutes from time, when an alert Kirsty Tolputt followed up her flick from a penalty corner.
The original shot was deflected, however Tolputt remained active, taking possession close to goal to slot home the matchwinner.
A yellow card minutes later to Tannah Hood gave Red Lion a player advantage, but Rangeville was able to hold on until the final siren.
“Red Lion started really strong and we struggled for the first quarter,” Brooke Thompson said.
“Nerves kick in during semi finals, but with our experience we were able to gain composure.
“It was a relief to score that goal. We knew we had to win and we were trying a bit too hard. Then we were able to reset and defend the rest of the game.”
It marks a big turnaround for the Bulldogs, who Thompson said were just hoping to make the finals at one point throughout the season.
“We started the season slowly and just to make it to the final has been a big achievement for us,” she said. “Halfway through the year the goal was just to make it in the top four. We were pretty confident if we could get to that stage that we could make it all the way.”
RED LION STARTED REALLY STRONG AND WE STRUGGLED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER. BROOKE THOMPSON
A dramatic finish in the men’s preliminary final saw Norths qualify for the decider with a last-ditch equaliser.
In what proved to be a back-and-forth encounter, Newtown either held the lead or was tied for 69 minutes of the game, until a late goal sunk them.
A long ball from Liam Brown to Kris Glass saw them work the ball into the forward circle, with Ben Edwards able to draw a penalty corner.
The flick from Brown was strong, and a pinpoint shot from Zac Gooderham tied the scores at 3-all, enough for Norths to advance on a higher placing.