Murray Wenzel
Monday, April 16, 2012
© The Cairns Post

It was Brothers' turn to make a statement in the Classic League women's hockey race on Saturday, powering past Saints 2-1 to ensure all four teams had won and lost once after two rounds.

Brothers' coach Terry Brodin was thrilled with the result and has challenged his girls to keep improving rather than rest on their laurels.

"The competition has really opened up this year, which is good for hockey in Cairns. It's up to us to keep building rather than stay at the same level," he said.

"I think that's what happened to us last season, so that's the goal now."

Saints were coming off a defeat of Souths last weekend but were missing Australian Country striker Kath Messer.

That loss was tempered by the return of former Hockeyroo Carmel Bakurski, but even her presence could not stop Brothers taking a 2-0 lead and holding on despite a late reply from Saints by a composed Kylie Arthur.

Tiarna Gordon's field goal and a neat rebounded effort from Hannah Whalan from a short corner did the damage for Brothers.

With just one on the bench, who did not arrive until half time, Brothers were always going to get tired, but Brodin credited their fitness program for keeping them in it.

"We've always proded ourselves on that and we certainly benefited from that work on Saturday," he said.

"I think the big thing was that we really turned up to play this week."

They also improved with the experienced Jane Elzinger moving to fullback.

"We've got a very young side, so having her communicating from the back made a big difference," Brodin said.

Final Score: Brothers 2 (Hannah Whalan, Tiarna Gordon) defeated Saints 1 (Kylie McArthur)

Saints suffered their second straght loss, this time to Brothers in a high-quality match up despite heavy rain throughout the clash.

Their new-look midfield held up well against a Saints side bolstered by the cameo of towering younster Simon Borger, who is now based in Brisbane and training with the QAS.

And Brothers welcomed back Peter Sceresini, who was missing from their first-round loss to Stingers, to boost their attack.

Saints trailed 2-0 after quick-fire goals in the 22nd and 26th minutes, before Adam Catalano got one back for Saints.

Troy Holley (43rd minute) gave Brothers the decisive buffer in the second half, ensuring a second to Catalano in the final minute was not enough.

Final Score: Brothers 3 (Nigel Giacomi, Luke Evans, Troy Holley) defeated Saints 2 (Adam Catalano 2)