College in good form for decider
College overcame a strong challenge by High School Hockey Club to win 5-1 in the first men’s club hockey semifinal and will play Massey, who won 5-3 in the shootouts after a tight second semifinal against Marist.
The first game was a tough and enthralling contest with defending champion College having to absorb pressure from HSHC in the first quarter at the twin turfs on Saturday.
HSHC came out firing and took it to College, missing two chances that would have swung the game their way.
However, College broke the deadlock with seconds to go before quarter time, with Ben Molloy on target.
The teams swapped chances and College tested HSHC defence with raids on the goal.
Roshan Govind got the break needed by College scoring mid second quarter before HSHC pulled one back when Blair Hodgson tapped in.
The turning point coming after halftime when interplay between Matt Young and Jordan Cohen saw Cohen score for College.
College eventually got in the groove and with space and a lot of movement created two further goals.
Outstanding for College were Matt Young and Angus Hazlett in midfield, supported by a hunting Aaron Purser.
Sam Hay and Matt Brougham stood out in midfield for HSHC.
The second semifinal was a highly charged matchup between
and Marist were under the pump for most of the first spell, highlighted by their keeper’s save on the stroke of quarter time.
Marist came out firing after the break, getting a couple of penalty corner chances before the tension increased after Marist broke the stalemate, when Brahm Berger
Massey Marist.
scored a field goal.
Massey threw it all at Marist either side of halftime to no avail, then levelled at three quarter time.
Massey went ahead from a penalty corner after two Marist players were sent for breaking.
Marist threw everything at Massey, including taking off their goalkeeper to give them an extra striker.
The ploy upset Massey’s rhythm and paid off with Josh Scott scoring off a penalty corner.
With time up, the game went to shootouts, where Massey won 3-1 to progress to the final. Stefan Fastier and Eddie Cousins had standout games for Marist and Bradley Grapes for Massey.
In division two: Marton won a shootout 2-1 after the score was locked 4-all in regular time over College. Massey Reserves won 1-0 over Marist.
In division three: HSHC Postman powered away winning 8-0 over College C and Levin won 7-2 over HSHC Masters.
In division four: Dannevirke edged out a 2-1 win over Massey Kings and Marist Cavaliers scored the winner on fulltime to win 4-3 over Massey Aces
The women’s finalists were found when won 4-0 over
College School Hockey Club Massey. Massey HSHC
in
Palmerston North Girls’ High High
the first semifinal and won a tight
semifinal 4-3 over
College came out firing in their game and two quick goals in each of the first two quarters caught Girls’ High on the back foot, forcing the schoolgirls into playing catch-up hockey.
Girls’ High came back after halftime passing and pressing forward, however, College were steadfast in defence and stopped any comeback by Girls’ High.
Alice Little had an outstanding game for College, scoring a hattrick and was player of the day, along with captain Tara Pickering.
Emma Rainey scored College’s other goal.
pushed right to the wire in a tense end-to-end second semifinal.
At half time HSHC were up 2-1 and went ahead 3-1 five minutes later off a field goal.
Led by captain Tash Narasy, Massey gave them everything. Massey absorbed HSHC’S pressure and on breakout, with quick interplay between Rachael Peck and Karla Wilson, Wilson scored off a deflection.
Tension raised again in the last quarter, as HSHC looked for a buffer and Massey to draw level.
After extensive pressure Massey got the break when a diving Kendal Hawk tipped in for the goal.
A draw started looking likely, however HSHC restored the lead when Rhianne Fee got her second goal. Massey never died trying to find the goal and substituted their goalkeeper for another striker, which pressured HSHC, but time ran out.
Paige Sly, Abby Renall and Wendy Ridd were outstanding for HSHC and Narasy and Peck had good games for Massey.
In division two, Marist upset HSHC Evergreens after the score was locked 3-all in regular time to win 4-3 in a shootout. Athletic won 7-1 over HSHC B.