The finals today saw some excellent action on the turf at Newcastle.

SF 1 saw Souths defeat Maitland 4-3 in golden goal extra time. Souths took a lead into the break with Kyle Bosworth and Todd Palmer scoring for the Lions before Peter Urquhart was able to make the best of a PC routine gone wrong for Maitland. Matt Brown drew the Rams level at the 45 minute mark to set the scene for an exciting finish to the game. Simon Vimpani put Souths 3-2 up with 8 minutes to go with a lovely backstick shot from the top of the D, but Nathan Baker was able to deceive the Souths defence with a clever slow ball with 4 minutes to go to square it all up and into ET. 4 minutes in, John Fernance stole the ball from the Rams defender, stepped the keeper and slotted home the winner.

SF 2 saw Ryde easily account for cross town rivels Glebe. 5-0 was the scoreline with Matt Wright, A Caton, Duncan Pearce and Nic McEwan getting the goals for the panthers. Glebe showed glimpses of their ability but just couldn’t get the job done down in the circle.

The 3rd Place playoff saw Matchday 1 combatants Glebe and Maitland at it again. Most people would of tipped the Rams to win this one based on last weeks result and the form of the 2 teams in the semi’s, but Glebe showed why they are a force in the Sydney competition with a convincing 6-3 victory. Michael Wark scored a hattrick and Jake Ribarovski, Peter Wark and Ross Bougoukas got the other goals. The Rams were not at the same intensity as they had shown in the semi final, but would still be pleased with their efforts. Ben Urquhart got a double for the Rams before Cayde Tasker scored near fulltime to add some respectability to the score.

The final saw matchday 1 combatants Ryde and South Newcastle renew acquaintances. Souths came into the game on the back of a tough semi over Maitland, and a psychological advantage having accounted for the Panthers in Matchday 1 3-2. Ryde have been up the freeway now 2 years in a row contesting Pre Season in Newcastle and have been in the final of those events now both times. This time though they were playing for the bounty of $1000 and a crack at the defending Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League champions. Souths got off to a good start after just 5 minutes when Kyle Bosworth smashed a curling dipping shot from a PC, just nudging the top of the backboard. Ryde responded and drew level after 25 mins when Alex Braude scored a simple tap in. 3 minutes later Bosworth notched his second from another PC, before Cameron Brown got Panthers back on level terms with a field goal just 30 seconds later. Right on half time Brown converted a PC to give Ryde the lead at the break. Matt Wright scored after 45 minutes and the pressure was on Souths to respond and the man of the moment Kyle Bosworth smashed home a goal to trail 4-3. It was pretty tense for the next 10 minutes as both teams tried to establish their dominance, however with 12 minutes to go the wind was knocked out of Souths sails as Alex Braude received the ball on the dot before turning and beating Wade sharrock in the Souths goal for a 5-3 lead. At this point the tide turned in favour of ryde, who were able to take full advantage of their youth and maintain the high tempo as Souths began to tire.  Goals to Wright and Ben Craig blew the score out to 7-3 at fulltime. A highly entertaining game.

Congratulations to Ryde for their victory. The $1000 courtesy of Team Sports will know doubt be well spent.