A TEAM of hockey underdogs are leading a boys’ hockey revival on the Tweed after making the grand final of the under-13 boys hockey State Championships on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month.

The boys, made up of a squad of 16 players from the Murwillumbah and Casuarina clubs, played in the division two championships and after losing their first game to Bundaberg 3-2, made an inspired run to the grand final.

After the nervous start, the side rebounded to demolish Atherton 18-nil in their second match to gain momentum and drew with Warwick, before going down to powerhouse side Brisbane 2-1 in the final.

Team manager Adam Ashley said the side, made up mostly of 10-11 year-olds, played out of their skins and did the region proud with a number of inspired performances.

“We were seen as real underdogs, just country boys but we had an amazing tournament and really took it to them,” Ashley said.

“No one had any real expectations for us, but we made the grand final and everyone went ‘wow’.

“There was quite a vibe up there with us and those boys really dug in. It was a real David versus Goliath kind of story.”

Toppling Goliath almost happened against Brisbane, who were forced to defend their lead against a rampaging Tweed Border side who refused to lay down.

The boys almost drew level in the dying seconds with a corner on the full-time siren, but it wasn’t to be.

Tweed Border’s goal, scored by Ollie Jeffrey, was the only goal Brisbane conceded for the entire tournament.

Ashley said the boys’ performance in the tournament, had set the tone for the future of boys hockey on the Tweed, which had been going through a transition period after a drop off in recent times.

“Tweed Border girls’ hockey is really strong, but in the boys it’s really been struggling,” he said.

“We haven’t had a great run in the last few years, but we’re starting to get some great little players through and these 10-11 year olds are playing against 13 year olds.

“There’s a really good feeling happening around Murwillumbah and we’ve got a beautiful tone happening in hockey now on the back of these boys.”

The side was rewarded for their performances on the Sunshine Coast, with two players - Jeffrey and Bailey Charlesworth - selected in the under-13s Queensland state side.

Ashley nominated Charlesworth as a player to watch out for in the future.