Premium Content GOALKEEPERS can face an attacking onslaught at the best of times. But when it s against the Norths A-Grade men s strike force, repelling rocket-like shots is even more difficult. That s why Easts goalkeeper Seth Bolton was widely praised after his latest performance at the Ipswich Hockey Complex. Although Easts lost 4-0, the scoreline could easily have been double that or in triple figures if not for Bolton s gritty display. Bolton had a superb game, rejecting multiple Norths shots, especially from penalty corners masterminded by Queensland under-21 sharpshooter Zac Profke. Profke managed to fire two past Bolton along with a double by Aidan Buckley.
Friday (Field, Time, Umpires, Tech Bench) -
A2 Grade: Northern Strikers v Swifts, 1, 7pm, H Hocking/M Eleison, E Klepzig; Hancock Brothers v Wests 2, 8.30pm, H Hocking/S Hudson, R Chandler
Saturday: R2 Grade - Easts Black v Easts Gold, 1, 1pm, S Brown/B Kinnane, T Doyle; Bellbowrie v Wests, 1, 2.30pm, B Kinnane/S Hudson, T Doyle; Hancock Brothers v Norths, 2, 4pm, H Hocking/S Hudson, E Klepzig.
Reserve: Wests v Easts, 1, 4pm, N Walker/B McManus, L Haley/M Eleison.
A Grade: Wests v Easts, 1, 7pm, H Michel/R Arthur, J Walker/E Klepzig.
Sunday: J2 Grade - Hancock Brothers v Norths, 1, 10am, T McPeake/A Wells, L Haley; Easts Black v Easts Gold, 3, 10am, K Roberts/A Meloury.
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Subscriber only AFTER the Norths juggernaut clicked up a gear and rolled to another huge victory, the warning was clear. The Norths Devils will only get better in this year s Ipswich A-Grade hockey competition. Sunday night s 7-1 victory over Easts came after the Devils surrendered the first goal. We probably needed a goal against us to start with just to wake up, coach Steve Profke said. With only four training sessions under their belt, last year s grand final runners-up displayed plenty of firepower with Profke s sons Zac (four) and Riley (two) dominating the goal fest. However, the other teams are already on notice.
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Subscriber only FRESH from some valuable family time away from the game, former Australian Country captain Chris Mantell was enjoying his new role at the Ipswich Hockey Complex. He was back coaching the Easts A-Grade women s side with one of his closest allies by his side. Mantell s wife Rachael, also a long-time hockey player, is captaining the team that has returned after playing in last year s COVID modified Ipswich competition. After two years off, it s good to be back, Chris said, after watching the Tigers draw 0-0 with Swifts in their first game of the new season.
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Subscriber only CONFIDENCE playing Ipswich hockey this season is growing with a healthy number of teams returning and clubs combining forces to strengthen the 2021 competition. They seem to have bounced back, Ipswich Hockey secretary Margret Mantell said of teams confirmed for the new season starting on March 12. I think there are some players who are still a little bit hesitant because there s still a bit of COVID around. They are concerned they will pay their money and then it has to shut down again. But if we get through the next couple of weeks and nothing happens COVID-wise, we might even pick up a few more numbers.