QUEENSLANDERS SCORE A WIN AND A LOSS AGAINST VICTORIA

Scorchers win 2-0

The Queensland Scorchers stay at the top of the Australian Hockey League ladder after defeating the Victorian Vipers 2-0 this afternoon at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie. 

The Scorchers kicked off the scoring in the 19^th minute of the game, when the initial shot from a penalty corner by Angie Lambert rebounded off the Victorian keeper’s glove and Queensland midfielder Madonna Blyth swept the rebound into the net. 

Both teams had a number of attempts at goal, and Queensland had three consecutive hits in the circle in the 26^th minute without result. Victorian keeper Rachael Lynch read the Queensland attack well, stopping all attempts on goal with ease.

The Queenslanders had to wait until the 52^nd minute to score again when first year player Lauren Richards scored a field goal for the Scorchers after some clever set circle play.  The Victorians were forced to play two women down when captain Carla Bond was sent off for five minutes after receiving a yellow card in the 53^rd minute for shoulder charging Melanie Twitt, and Stacia Joseph was given the same just three minutes later for a dangerous tackle.

In an unusual display, Queensland stalwart Angie Lambert was given a green card in the 44^th minute for back chatting the umpire.

The Scorchers and Vipers meet again tomorrow at the State Hockey Centre at 5pm.

Goals                           

Qld in 19th minute Penalty corner by Madonna Blyth   

Qld in 52nd minute Field goal by Lauren Richards

 Blades go down to Vikings 2-1

Defending AHL Champions, the Queensland Blades, suffered their first outright loss of the season when they were soundly beaten by Victoria at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie this afternoon.

The Queensland team fielded a number of junior faces after suffering injuries to senior players in last week-end’s games against the Northern Territory in Darwin.

With only four players from last year’s grand final win on the field today, the match was always going to be a close one for the two teams.

Despite the field play being relatively even, the Victorians were able to capitalise on their opportunities and scored late in the first half with a field goal to Joshua Pollard. The southerners then scored again quickly after the half time break, when Chris Cirello scored a penalty corner just four minutes into the second half.

Despite the Blades lifting their game in the last twenty minutes of the match, a penalty corner from Troy Elder in the 68^th minute was not enough to spur the team to another goal.

Goals           

Vic in 31 min     Field goal by Joshua Pollard

Vic in 39 min     Penalty corner by Chris Ciriello

Qld in 68min      Penalty corner by Troy Elder 

The Queensland Blades play the Victorian Vikings tomorrow at 3pm at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.