Late Qld burst a winner

THREE goals in the last six minutes of play have secured Queensland a remarkable gold medal victory at the Australian under-18 women’s hockey championships in Hobart.

After finishing on top of pool A, Queensland secured their spot in the final with a 4-0 semi-final victory over NSW State, setting up a showdown against the highly fancied NSW Blue side yesterday.

After NSW Blue got out to a two-goal lead early in the final quarter, the Maroons left their best until last.

Tatum Stewart put Queensland on the board with six minutes to play before Claire Colwill equalised from a penalty corner four minutes later.

In the final minute of play, Burleigh product Ruby Harris put an exclamation mark on an incredible comeback with a field goal that put Queensland in front. The Queensland side was well led by Gold Coast product Kendra Fitzpatrick, younger sister of Hockeyroos Savannah and Madison.

The state team also featured Dayle Dolkens (Coomera), Brooke Saddler (Murwillumbah), Laney-Belle Smith (Broadbeach Waters) and Kyra Livermore (Upper Coomera).

The Queensland men’s under-18 side, featuring Gold Coast talent Will Mathison (Mermaid Waters) and Nicolaas Smith (Pacific Pines), took out the gold medal with a 7-1 win over Western Australia.

At the national under-15 championships in NSW earlier in the week, the Queensland Maroon boys side claimed the bronze with a 2-1 win over South Australia while the girls finished fourth.

Merrimac’s Liam Van Twest, Robina’s William Powell, Coomera’s Darcy Riley and Paradise Point’s Charlotte Fowler featured strongly.