Masters seize grand final glory
GLADSTONE dominated the competition at the Queensland Hockey Masters Men's Championship on home turf over the long weekend.
For the first time both the Over-40 and Over-50 Gladstone teams not only qualified for the grand finals, but claimed them in two thrilling encounters.
It was Rigby Park's first big test for the artificial surface, and from all reports it was superb to play on.
The Over-50s grand final was first up in the morning. Gladstone defeated Townsville 3-2.
The nail-biting victory went down to the wire when, with six seconds to go and both teams sitting level at 2-2, Gladstone was awarded a penalty corner.
Gladstone scored after the fulltime siren had sounded to take the victory.
Gladstone Over-50s captain Allan Baxter said he could not have been happier with the team for winning their first state grand final.
"We've been close at other carnivals and to win it on our home turf is even better," Baxter said.
The Over-40s took the field shortly after the first game going on to beat the Gold Coast 1-0.
Good defence throughout the game ensured the visitors remained scoreless, but Over-40s captain Dean Gorda said towards the end of the game it was a bit tight.
"We had no substitutes and a few injuries," Gorda said.
But they hung on to take out the state titles finishing the entire long weekend carnival undefeated.
Gorda said the weekend was hard on the team playing seven games over three days.
"Especially when you're over 40," he said.
Gladstone Hockey Association treasurer Kristie Ogden said the weekend was very successful.
"We've had great feedback from the other centres," Ogden said. "They said it was a high-quality surface."
She thanked the volunteers who made the carnival possible.
