Ipswich victors in new test

IPSWICH A-grade champions Easts will tackle some of the state’s best men’s hockey teams at the inaugural Tigerturf Cup at Carina starting this weekend.

The post-season tournament at the Clem Jones Sports Centre will feature five teams from around South East Queensland vying for prizemoney and the crown of the region’s best club side.

Held over three consecutive weekends, the tournament features Easts tackling the champion sides from the Sunshine Coast (Buderim Rebels), Gold Coast (Labrador) and host club Brisbane Easts.

A Queensland Academy of Sport side will also take part in the event, a concept that tournament organiser Reg Knowles says has “been in my mind for 10 years”.

“It’s a reward for each city’s premiership teams to be able to play in another club competition outside their regular season,” Knowles said.

Knowles said the Tigerturf Cup would also allow emerging hockey talent from regional centres to challenge opponents who have played at national and state level.

“There’s a lot of hockey players that don’t play representative hockey, but this will give them an opportunity to play in a high-level competition,” he said.

The Clem Jones Sports Centre is at corner of Stanley Road and Creek Road, Carina.

Ipswich Easts squad: Andrew Woodford, Stu Darby, Chris Mantell, Luke Woodford, Paul Malcolm, David Llewelyn, Lachlan Brown, Dean Boughen, Daniel Mantell (co-captain), Mark Llewelyn (co-captain), Chris Melvin, Tim Woodford, Thom Millar, Daniel Chandler, Jaden Ekert, Greg Walker, Kyle Sippel, Steven Bayliss, Lindsay Marsh. Coach: Nathan Hooper. Assistant coach: Stu Darby. Manager: Peter Llewelyn.