AHL Round Two

Crowd Ignites as Turner Secures Win for Lakers

Canberra Lakers 4 def OAMPS Queensland Blades 3 (2-0)
Goals - ACT G Backhus 5m FG, J Wallace 58m FG, G Turner 32m PC, G Turner 69m FG QLD J Wilson 41m PC, M Bates 43m FG, R Hammond 68m PS

In what was one of the most exciting matches of the weekend the Canberra Lakers took on the OAMPS Queensland Blades, both teams were riding high after they both won their
matches yesterday and were obviously keen to get off to a good start in today's match.

The Lakers began the match with high intensity and put the first goal on the scoreboard when Kookaburra Glenn Turner made a breakaway and found Garry Backhus who coverted the goal.  Whilst the Lakers attack was continuing to gain strength in attack their defence was impenetrable with Adam Baxter and Aaron Hopkins ensuring that the Blades could not level the score.

The Lakers extended their lead minutes before half time when Turner converted
a penalty corner and the Canberra boys went to the half time break with a 2-0 lead. After the half time break it was clear that Queensland were keen to get on the scoreboard and show the skill that earned them victory in yesterday's match. Jason Wilson put his team back within reach when he scooped the ball over the goal keepers head from a penalty corner and only two minutes later Michael Bates beat the scrambling Lakers defence to put the Blades back in contention.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the Lakers narrowly missed the goal on many occasions, however when Turner ran the length of the pitch and found Jack Wallace waiting in the circle the Canberra boys were back in the lead. The match remained even with both teams looking dangerous in attack and strong in defence, however when the Blades were awarded a penalty stroke in the last three minutes, which was converted by Robert Hammond, it looked like the match would result in a draw.

Ryan Archibald threw a pass to Turner and he found himself alone at the top of the Queensland circle the hopes of the Lakers and the Canberra crowd were resting on his shoulders. Showing form that cemented Turner's spot in the Kookaburras team he skilfully beat the Queensland goal keeper, fellow Kookaburra Nathan Burgers, and won the match for the Canberra Lakers. The home crowd were louder than ever and with less than two minutes on the clock the Lakers had taken victory.

Canberra Lakers coach Ben Bishop was elated with the result.  "We backed up our
performance from yesterday and lessons learnt from Round 1 helped us today. We were
able to overcome a Queensland comeback and saw stand out performances from Andrew
Charter, Ryan Archibald and Glen Turner" he said.

For full detailed results and other games click onto the Hockey Australia website

The Men's AHL Finals Week will be held in Brisbane, Queensland from 21-28 August.  Contact Hockey Queensland on (07) 3399 6577 for more information.

Blades Clinch Victory over Waratahs in Dying Seconds

OAMPS Queensland Blades 4 def NSW Waratahs 3 (2 - 0 half time)
Goals - QLD J Wilson 26m PC, R Hammond 34m PC, M Bates 53m PC, J Whetton 69m FG  NSW M Butturini 46m FG, M Paterson 58m PC, M Paterson 64m PC

The first match in Round 2 of the Men's Australian Hockey League (AHL) saw the New South Wales Waratahs take on the OAMPS Queensland Blades. In what was sure to be a blockbuster match, the teams did not disappoint with a strong opening to the match and both teams eager to open the scoring. The Waratahs pressed the Blades defence early in the match and were unlucky not to score, great defensive play from Blades Goalkeeper Nathan Burgers kept the Waratahs scoreless.

The Blades began to create space up front and broke the scoring deadlock in the 26th minute when Jason Wilson took advantage of a penalty corner. Scrambling defence from the NSW Waratahs continued throughout the remainder of the first half, however Queensland's Robert Hammond drilled the ball into the back of the backboard from another penalty corner.

The NSW Waratahs started the second half of the match with renewed vigour and threatened the Blades defence early. The pressure on the Blades defence finally paid off when Matthew Butturini slotted the ball into the net with an impressive tomahawk. The Blades success with penalty corner conversions continued when Michael Bates converted their third of the match and extended the lead for his team.

Waratah Mark Paterson levelled the score for NSW with two quick goals converted from penalty corners, one of which replicated that of his team mate earlier in the match.  NSW looked to have done enough to secure a draw when a last minute cross shot on goal from Queensland's Jacob Whetton hit the backboard. Queensland were victorious in their first match of Round 2 and will take on local boys the Canberra Lakers tomorrow.

OAMPS Queensland Blades coach Matthew Wells said he was pleased to come away with the points and positive that the team played solidly throughout the match.   By comparison Larry McIntosh, coach of the NSW Waratahs sighted that whilst there was good patches of play, tomorrow his team will need to handle the ball better and finish with authority in the attacking circle if they are to come away with the points against the NT Stingers.

For full detailed results and other games click onto the Hockey Australia website

Sunday 4 July 2010

1:00pm NSW Waratahs vs Darwin Airport Resort Territory Stingers

3:00pm Canberra Lakers vs OAMPS Queensland Blades