by Sean Hawkes


The Port Douglas Hockey Club held the Champions Trophy, series four Grand Final on Sunday afternoon with the premier match a battle between Black Magic and White Lightning.


Black Magic triumphed to claim the Champions Trophy in a thrilling contest with a 4 – 3 victory over the Lightening.


The game was a hard fought with daring attack being the focus of both teams many scoring opportunities were created.


White Lightning streaked to a three goal lead early in the first half via Rex Hawkes with two goals including a great reverse stick strike, and Bryce Caltobiano with a rocket shot into goal.


The Lightning seemed all-powerful, but Black Magic conjured a goal through Graeme Stringer and the half-time score was 3 – 1.


A brilliant second half display by the Black Magic team saw them level the score with goals to Suzy Bestwick and Guy Phongsunthorn.


In the last tense minutes of the game, continued attack through the play of Jack Anderson, Daisy Hawkes and Liz Stringer brought the winning goal for Magic just inside the final siren.


After holding such a commanding lead in the first half, there was bitter disappointment for the Lightning, but pure determination from Magic meant the game was alive right to the end.


Congratulations go to all players who made the Grand Final such a hotly contested match.


In the match between the Red Devils and Blue Thunder to determine third place, both teams were desperate for a positive finish to the season and showed great commitment to the contest.


Red Devils took the victory 7 – 3  with a massive five goals from Sam Edwards and one each to Michael Armour and Liam Edwards. Goal scorers for Blue Thunder were Vicki Sparkes and Matt Stanway.


The Champions Trophy season is now completed and our attention now turns to the Cairns Hockey Association Summer Sixes competition beginning early October.


In the interim practice matches will be held at 4.00 pm on Sunday at the Port Douglas State School field.