Not right time for Labrador’s bold bid
IF only quarter.
That was the verdict of Labrador coach Simon Martin after his side fell agonisingly short of a maiden Brisbane Hockey League premiership, beaten 4-2 by heavyweights Easts at the State Hockey Centre on Saturday.
The Tigerstix were left to rue several missed opportunities early on but finished the match so strongly that Martin feels they could have clawed their way back had the clock not intervened. there was another
“We were coming at them really strong late,” he said. “Another quarter of hockey and I reckon we could have beaten them.
“The boys never gave up. They fought really, really hard, I was so proud of them.”
With 957 international caps between the two sides, the clash was closely contested until Easts struck gold either side of the main break.
The minor premiers scored twice shortly before halftime and again soon after to for a crucial three-goal buffer and force the Tigerstix to play catch-up hockey.
Martin said it could easily have been his side applying the scoreboard pressure had they grabbed their chances.
“I thought we were as good as Easts were but we just didn’t take our chances early,” he said.
“We probably should have been two up at the end of the first quarter … their keeper played well, he made some pretty critical saves.
“They took their chances and we didn’t take ours and that was the difference between the two on the day.”
The Labrador mentor was far from pleased with a thirdquarter umpiring decision which went against key striker Dylan Wotherspoon.
“He was sent off for 10 minutes for a pretty average tackle and not really worthy of getting sent off the field,” Martin said.
Corey Weyer scored both of Labrador’s goals but it was the Australian Test veterans who stole the show.
Easts captain Mark Knowles was awarded player of the final while the Tigerstix’s Brent Livermore earnt praise from his coach as their best on the day.
It was six years between BHL finals for Labrador but Martin believes there won’t be such a wait for their next crack at the title.
“It’s still a developing squad. We have got some good young fellas coming through as well that are going to push these guys,” he said.
“We’re building a really nice rivalry against Easts at the moment. We’re really keen to get back at them.”
I THOUGHT WE WERE AS GOOD AS EASTS WERE BUT WE JUST DIDN’T TAKE OUR CHANCES EARLY