Under-15s
An Oliver Stebbings-led Tasmanian under-15 boys team is looking primed to make a push for finals, as the second half of the Australian junior hockey championships get underway in Bathurst and Launceston.
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The 14-year-old Tasmanian captain is second in the tournament in goals scored with six, behind only Queensland's Cooper Mackenzie (seven).
The under-15 boys drew with the Victorian Development team on Sunday, after coming back from two down with Rhys Wilkinson scoring one, and Stebbings another to equalise the match.
The boys sit at 2-2 in their pool standings, behind the NSW State team who are 4-0.
The former will get its chance to test the latter's mettle on Tuesday.
If the boys remain second in pool B after that match, they'll play the first seed in pool A.
The girls' under-15 side, on the other hand, has had less success, having yet to win a game.
The squad's only two goals came in a draw against South Australia on Saturday - one of which was scored by sole Northern player and vice captain Chloe White.
The team's latest loss came at the hands of Western Australia Black on Sunday 0-2.
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Under-18s
Meanwhile, in Launceston, the state's two under-18 teams continue to fight in their respective pools for finals berths.
Things look grim for the men's side, who've lost all three of their matches against the Northern Territory, ACT and Queensland.
They'll face fellow winless team NSW Blue, followed by top-of-the-pool Victoria.
Should the team stay in the fourth seed, they'll face the fourth seed of pool B.
At 2-1, the state women's team sit at third in their pool, just behind Western Australia (also 2-1).
A seven-goal margin separates the two teams, but they'll clash against one another on Monday for the second seed.
Aside from a 5-1 thrashing from first-place Queensland, Tassie and Queechy Penguins goal-keeper Amelia Duffy has looked stingy in the net, only allowing one goal in the side's other two contests.
Maddison Brooks and Isabelle Kruimink lead the team in goals with two apiece.
The women's last game will be against fellow three-seeder in pool B the Northern Territory, who sit at 1-1-1 and have only scored two goals.
The men's team will play NSW Blue on field one at the Northern Hockey Centre at 10.30am on Monday.
The women's team will play Western Australia on field two at 11.30am on Monday.
Harry Murtough
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
