Thundersticks Too Good for Tassie in AHL

The WA Thundersticks have defeated Tasmania 4-2 in the AHL Finals Week clash to continue their title challenge in Sydney.

The game began with both teams holding possession well and moving the ball quickly and precisely. Neither team were able to gain the ascendency in a very even contest.

Tasmania opened the scoring in the eighth minute, Paul Archer on hand to score following a good build up through midfield. Western Australia equalised four minutes later, a field goal from Craig Boyne levelling the scores.

Western Australian Trent Mitton gave his team the lead with eleven minutes remaining in the half. Diving at full stretch Mitton deflected a powerful pass across the circle at the back post high into the goal.

After half time the game continued to be played in the midfield, chances came at both ends but neither team were able to capitalise. The Thundersticks increased their lead 15 minutes from time, Sam Pike unleashing a thunderous drag flick into the bottom left hand corner, the Tassie goalkeeper unable to react in time.

Tasmania pushed forward in an attempt to salvage something from the game, Eddie Ockenden, who had been fantastic throughout scoring a field goal to bring the game back within a goal.

Western Australia put the game beyond doubt eight minutes from time, another unstoppable drag flick from Sam Pike doubling the Thundersticks lead.

Content with their lead, the team from the west maintained possession, denying Tasmania use of the ball wherever possible. The game finishing Western Australia 4 Tasmania 2, the Thundersticks conversation rate from penalty corners the difference in an otherwise very even encounter.

-Hockey Australia