Blue and red to use secret weapons

Rovers (yellow) will hope their form against Arrows (blue) last week is enough to get them a win against Cities on Saturday.

Max Fleet

Bundaberg Hockey president and Arrows-Athletics stalwart John Kirchner admitted the side he led on to Hinkler Park last Saturday night was closer to a second division side than a first.

Confronting a fast, slick and determined Rovers, it was no wonder they lost 7-1.

But “Kirch” always has a few tricks up his sleeve — he says a few old-timers may return to the fray after Easter and rescue the depleted side.

“We’ll get a few blokes back, but I’m not telling you who just yet,” he said.

He did joke that former Australian Kookaburras Troy Elder, Matthew Wells and goalkeeper Stephen Lambert would be on a plane to Bundaberg, but stressed that logistics may just rule out that move.

“I’d say we’d need to hire a Lear jet to get them here on time,” he said.

They become the first team to travel to Maryborough in this year’s premier league, along with their women’s side to play Wallaroos. Wallaroos finished mid-table last season but Kirchner does not know how they will line up this season. Cities women play Rovers tonight and will look to build on a solid but scrappy 2-0 opening win against Raiders last week.

The same teams clash in the men’s tomorrow afternoon, in a repeat of last year’s grand final.

Raiders play Maryborough’s United tomorrow afternoon, while All Blacks men have the bye.