Tasmania Advance To Gold Medal Game at Under 21 Nationals

The Tasmanian Men's side will play for the Gold Medal at the Under 21 National Championships in Canberra, after they battled past Queensland, to win a thrilling Semi Final 4-2 on Wednesday afternoon. 

Tasmania had the better of the opening quarter but couldn't find a way to score, before Oscar Pritchard produced the breakthrough early from a penalty corner early in the second quarter, when his powerful drag flick rocketed into the top corner.

Having had the better of the first half, the game turned in the third quarter as Queensland pushed hard for an equaliser and eventually the pressure told, as they capitalised on their chances 

But the goal snapped the Tasmanian's back into life and Angus McMullen would restore the lead just four minutes later to see his side 2-1 ahead with one quarter to play.

Queensland again restored parity midway through the quarter to set up a grand stand finish. 

The response from Tasmania was instantaneous, as under a minute later, Max Johnstone scored a stunning goal, blasting a shot over the keeper's head and into the roof of the goal to make it 3-2.

Queensland pushed hard for another equaliser and pulled the goalie in search of it, before Oscar Sproule drove into the circle and Angus McMullen ensured it crossed the line to make it 4-2 and secure the victory.

Tasmania will now take on Western Australia on Thursday afternoon at 2:25pm in the Gold Medal Match.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Women's Under 21 side fell 1-0 to the Northern Territory in a frustrating match in the 5-8th playoff bracket. Despite having the bulk of the scoring chances and dominating large periods of the contest, the ball would not go into the goals, before the Stingers struck in the final minute of the contest to snatch the victory and mean Tasmania will play off with South Australia for 7th place on the final day of the Championships tomorrow morning. 

Tasmania defeated South Australia 3-0 in their prior match at the Championships, defeating them in the sides opening group stage contest.