The WA Thundersticks have suffered a 6-0 defeat to Queensland in the opening match of the 2012 men’s Australian Hockey League in Canberra.

The Queensland Blades made up for last year’s disappointing performance when they beat the 2011 AHL Champions with Jamie Dwyer scoring a hattrick.

From the first minute, the game was played at a fast-pace with the exceptional skills of current and former Australian representatives entertaining the crowd.

Jake Whetton opened the scoring with a field goal in the fifth minute. The game then settled down with end-to-end passing and following good lead up work from Matthew Swann, the Blades received a short corner, which was converted by Jamie Dwyer in the 19th minute.

WA’s struggle to regain ascendancy was made more difficult two minutes before half time when Rob Hammond took a quick free hit from outside the 25 and hammered the ball to Dwyer whose deflection gave the Blades a 3-0 lead at the break.

The WA Thundersticks showed greater purpose after the break, with veteran Bevan George prominent in both attack and defence.

After ten minutes, a short corner gave Dwyer his third goal when his corner flick was deflected beyond goal keeper Tristan Clemons (WAIS).

Despite Queensland’s four goal lead, Clemons led a resolute Thundersticks defence which had to work fervently to keep Queensland’s attack led by Troy Elder, Matthew Gohdes and captain Liam de Young at bay.

WA’s ferocious tackling and defensive efforts proved fruitless in the last 15 minutes as Dylan Wotherspoon picked up his first goal of the tournament to give the Blades a comfortable five goal lead. Then, with less than two minutes on the clock, a beautiful flowing move between Kane Posselt, Whetton and Wotherspoon opened up the WA defence which conceded a penalty stroke, converted by the irrepressible Gohdes.

The final result of an entertaining game was Queensland Blades 6, WA Thundersticks 0.

- Hockey Australia