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Brisbane march into women's hockey final

3 minute read

Brisbane have beaten Adelaide 3-0 in the women's Hockey One semi-final to book a place in the inaugural grand final with either HC Melbourne or Canberra Chill.

The Fitzpatrick sisters have both netted in Brisbane's 3-0 win over Adelaide to book their place in the inaugural Hockey One grand final.

The Blaze comfortably beat the Fire with goals from Kendra Fitzpatrick, Britt Wilkinson and Hockeyroo Maddy Fitzpatrick in the first semi-final at the Queensland State Hockey Centre on Saturday night.

They will face either leaders HC Melbourne or fourth-placed Canberra in the final on November 16.

The victory stretched Brisbane's winning run to five matches and will build their confidence as they prepare to face one of the two sides they were unable to beat in the regular season.

The Blaze drew 2-2 with the Chill in Canberra and were edged 1-0 by HC Melbourne - their last and only defeat of the season.

Adelaide were hoping to make the decider after beating Canberra 4-0 and leaders Melbourne in a penalty shootout in their last two matches.

But Brisbane were the first to strike after halftime following two uneventful quarters.

Teenager Kendra Fitzpatrick scored in the 32nd minute before Wilkinson's goal made it 2-0 just two minutes later.

Then just after three-quarter time the Blaze stretched their lead to 3-0 when the older Fitzpatrick, Maddy, turned in a penalty corner.

Adelaide were unable to find a way through Brisbane's defence with the hosts also showing near-complete composure, if it weren't for Gabi Nance's green card in the final minute.

In Sunday's second semi-final, HC Melbourne face a rested Canberra side, whose last outing was a 4-0 loss to Adelaide two weeks ago.

But host HC Melbourne are coming off a gruelling penalty shootout loss to the Fire to face a Chill side they beat in a mid-season clash that was much closer than the 2-0 scoreline suggests.

Canberra coach Ian Rutledge believes his side can upset the title favourites if they can muster the same discipline and focus they did in their earlier match.

"Melbourne do some really good things as a team, and I thought we disrupted them last time as well as imparting our game on to them, which was a real positive," Rutledge told the Hockey One website.

"If we can repeat that and step it up a level, as well as finish off the goals as we did last time, it could be a really good result for us."

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