NSW managed to snatch a trophy away from Queensland in the sporting arena thanks to a group of Glen Innes locals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Northsports Roller Hockey club took more than 30 athletes to Queensland to compete in five divisions for the Skate of Origin trophy – under 11s, under 14s, under 17s, a ladies and senior men’s.
It was the second time the two states battled for the trophy with Queensland winning the inaugural one in 2016.
Being the only roller hockey centre in NSW, the pressure was on for Northsports to return from the competition in Gympie with the title.
The two states were locked in a draw with Queensland winning the senior men’s games and the two under 11s and NSW victorious in the under 17s and ladies matches at the end of the first day of competition.
Points were split in the under 14s with one win each and neither side able to claim their division.
The winner of the third game would determine who would win the trophy.
Northsports player Kristyl Pocock said the final game was intense with neither side giving an inch until late in the game when Hamish Stewart nailed the final goal for NSW to take the win.
“Everything was riding on the under 14s winning their third game for us to take the entire competition because it was dead even so it was actually the most exciting game,” she said.
“It was almost even right up until the last minute.
“They were ahead of us in the first half and in the second half it evened out.
“We got a couple of goals on them in the final stages and everyone was screaming in that last few minutes.
“In that last minute we literally instructed all our kids to stand in front of the goal posts so they couldn't score with that final hit. Everyone knew it was for the whole tournament so everyone was on their feet screaming.”
Pocock made special mention of Stewart’s performances.
“He scored that last goal that won us the game and he got the attention of a few key hockey people. They made him captain of that division as well,” she said.