Tweed Border Open Women’s team were clear in their goals at the State Championships on the weekend – to win the Open Division and be promoted to Premier Division.
And everything went to plan right up until the final round, the association finally having to settle for second place.
In their early round matches, they won against Mt Isa 7-0, Rockhampton 5-2, Maryborough 5-2 and Toowoomba 3-1.
Many people at the championships were impressed with the style of hockey being played by the Tweed girls.
“The rapid transfer of the ball really tested the fitness of our opposition teams,” assistant coach Brian Fitzpatrick said.
“Hockey Qld officials have big predictions for the Tweed Border team in the near future”
Kim Tuckwell was unstoppable as the team’s highest goal scorer.
She was well supported by Sophie Rodda, Cath Conlon and Vanessa Robson. Gabi Nance, Savannah Fitzpatrick and Margie Coleman gave a great foundation to the midfield of the team. In defence, Lou Ferguson, Allie Farrell, Hayley Seaton, Celeste Murray, Madison Fitzpatrick, Deb Dolan provided a robust wall which teams found difficult to break. Djena Jordan also played well as goal-keeper.
The last round game was against Sunshine Coast, who were equal on the ladder, but behind the Tweed team on goal averages. Unfortunately our goal-scoring machine Kim was taken out with a bad tackle towards the end of the previous game and left with a strained hamstring.
Sunshine Coast scored two goals in the first half and Tuckwell, still playing injured, managed to score a goal, bringing the score to 2-1 at halftime. For the next 20 minutes Tweed Border penetrated the attacking circle on several occasions. Shots at goal were defended well and two managed to hit the post. The team only needed to draw the game to be promoted but it wasn’t to be.
With three current Qld Scorchers amongst their ranks, Sunshine Coast had other plans.
With five minutes left on the clock, they scored from a penalty corner. The final score being 3-1, Tweed Border had lost their chance of promotion.
Considering eight members of the team are between 14 and 18, and four of these players are already identified by Hockey Qld at Under 18s, the future looks bright for the chance of promotion in the near future.
