BROTHERS signalled their title defence was on track with a 4-0 Cairns Hockey Association women's classic league victory over Trinity Stingers on Saturday night.

Brothers posted two goals in each half against a plucky Stingers, who played with plenty of heart but did not boast the weaponry to hurt the reigning premiers.

View hockey picture gallery.

Karley Evans opened the scoring for Brothers with a clever individual goal in the 12th minute before Tiarna Gordon passed for Danielle Hippisley to post the team’s second goal off a penalty corner in the 18th minute.

Stingers regathered to keep the Fury out for the rest of the first half but fell further behind in the 53rd minute when Natasha McAlister breached their defences.

Before Stingers could regroup, Brothers were in again with Tamara Singh rattling the backboard to complete the scoring.

Although Brothers trail Saints on the ladder, their performance indicated they are building up nicely for their title defence.

Jacinta Singh, Tayler and Karly Evans and Melissa Gordon figured strongly for Brothers while Katie Short, Chelsea Downing, Katelyn Watson and Kate Wieland showed Stingers are building in strength for the future.

Stingers’ loss kept them a win shy of third-placed Souths as the two outfits battle for the third and final semi-final spot. Souths co-coach Mark Bombardieri said his young outfit had progressed well this season and now needed to dig in and hold on to third spot.

"We need to beat Trinity Stingers well and challenge the other two teams," he said.

"The top two teams are playing extremely well. But if we make the finals, we’d like to think we can challenge them."

Bombardieri said experienced players Thea Lazarus, Sue Whipp and Chris Lucas had provided consistency and guidance to a Souths side otherwise stacked with talented youngsters including Reegan Dalla Costa and sisters Casey and Nikki Betts.

Share this article