NSW clean-sweeps U18 indoor titles

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Updated: January 16, 2012

NEW South Wales’ strength in indoor hockey was again on display at the 2012 Australian Under-18 Championships in Brisbane.

NSW won the gold medals in both the men’s and women’s sections of the tournament which was played at Kedron State High School and completed on Saturday, January 14.

The NSW women’s side finished undefeated when it secured a grand final win over Victoria 4-2. Tori Hall and Estelle Hughes scored two goals each to lead the way for the winners, while Sarah Breen and Kristina Bates slotted one each for the Vics.

NSW had conceded just five goals during its six preliminary round matches while scoring 21 itself, before cruising to a massive 10-0 win over Queensland in their semi-final clash.

Victoria, which had finished second on the table, defeated South Australia 6-2 in their semi-final to set up the showdown with NSW.

Victorian Breen finished as the women’s leading scorer, collecting 10 goals, while NSW pair Kyah Gray and Hughes registered eight and seven respectively.

NSW’s men’s team defeated Queensland 3-1 in their grand final, Stephen Boothroyd, Blake Govers and Corey Harding slotting the three goals for the winners, while Tom Hadden scored Queensland’s only goal.

Like the women, the NSW men were undefeated, winning all six preliminary round games and scoring a massive 44 goals, before beating Western Australia in their semi-final 9-5.

Queensland had caused a 5-2 upset victory its semi against Victoria, which had finished behind NSW on the ladder, with just the one loss and 42 goals and was expected to reach the final.

NSW’s Blake Govers led the tournament scoring with 13 goals, ahead of Victoria’s Ashley Bannen (12) and WA’s Ross Hall (11), and NSW teammate Jack Elliott (10).