TASMANIA is five points off the pace heading in to the business end of the men's Australian Hockey League.
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With two games left before the playoffs, the Tigers sit fifth out of eight with two wins and a draw from their five games at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra.
New South Wales and Western Australia top the table with four wins apiece but Tasmania will be optimistic of progressing higher up the placings as it comes off a comfortable 5-1 defeat of South Australia with a fixture today against the winless and goalless Northern Territory Stingers.
Two goals from retiring Kookaburra Luke Doerner set up the come-from-behind defeat of the Hotshots with further contributions coming from an Angus Boulton field goal, Nick Budgeon penalty stroke and Geoff Cock penalty corner.
In the team's previous fixture, field goals from Will Lawler and Olympic bronze medallist Tim Deavin twice put the Tigers ahead but they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with Queensland.
In the pivotal fixture to date, the WA Thundersticks ran out comprehensive 4-2 victors over a gallant Victorian Vikings.
Yesterday was a rest day before battle resumes this morning.
In the women's competition at the Perth Hockey Stadium, Tasmania is bottom of the table with just a point to show from its five games and fresh from a 7-0 thumping from Victoria while unbeaten Queensland is setting the pace.
Results: MEN - Tassie Tigers 5 (Luke Doerner (7m PC, 30m PS), Angus Boulton (17m FG), Nick Budgeon (29m PS), Geoff Cock (55m PC)) d SA HotShots 1 (Tom Cleghorn (4m PC)).
Queensland Blades 6 (Jamie Dwyer (28m, FG, 59m FG), Dylan Wotherspoon (6m FG), Rob Hammond (17m FG), Daniel Beale (42m FG) Troy Elder (52m FG)) d SRA Territory Stingers 0.
NSW Waratahs 4 (Josh Miller (3m FG), Duncan Pearce (26m FG), Cody Tribe (64m FG), Flynn Ogilvie (65m FG)) d Canberra Lakers 1 (Sam Pike (35m FG)).
WA Thundersticks 4 (Tim Bates (17m PC), Trent Mitton (28m FG), Craig Boyne (42m FG), Andrew Jacobs (70m PC)) d Victorian Vikings 2 (own goal (28m OG), Daniel Mirecki (38m FG)).
WOMEN - VIC Vipers 7 (VIC: Anna Burns (20m FG), Sam Ellis (39m FG), Hana Peake (44m FG), Georgia Nanscawen (51m FG, 54m FG), Erica Trahar (60m FG), Claire Messent (66m FG)) d TAS Van Demons 0.
ACT Strikers 3 (Peta Mackinnon (60m FG, 67m FG), Edwina Bone (70m PC)) d NT Pearls 1 (Danni Sutherland (47m PC)).
WA Diamonds 2 (Georgia Wilson (13m FG) Kaitlin Pascov (41m FG)) d Southern Suns (SA) 1 (Clarissa Eshuis (31m PC)).
NSW Arrows 1 (Holly Webster (62m FG)) d QLD Scorchers 0.