Massey can’t find the goal in shock loss

HOCKEY: Surprises were in store for some teams as the new season of club hockey got under way.

The first upset occurred in the women’s competition, when Palmerston North Girls’ High School beat Massey 3-0 on Saturday, putting Girls’ High at the top of the women’s table.

It was a tight contest to start, but Girls’ High started clicking and playing at speed, moving the ball quickly. Massey were competitive throughout the match, but couldn’t seem to find the back of the goal, with Girls’ High goalkeeper Imogen Mccrae performing strongly.

In the other women’s match, defending champions College played High School Hockey Club and drew 0-0. High School started off strongly, but College picked up the momentum in the second quarter, dominating the third. However, they failed to find the back of the net and the scores remained equal.

College goalkeeper Joanna Bell, who is new to the side this year, had a standout game, as did HSHC players Wendy Ridd and Carla Jones, despite Jones receiving a green card for a minor infraction in the last few minutes of the game.

In the men’s competition, High School Hockey Club almost managed an upset, but came away with a draw against last year’s second-placed team Massey.

The teams drew 3 all, despite HSHC losing a player in the crucial last five minutes due to a yellow card. Krishan Gajadhar, who has returned to HSHC after being overseas, was given the yellow card after playing a strong match.

Other standout players included HSHC’S Matthew Brougham, who has also returned from overseas, and Brendan Payne, for Massey

Defending champions College played

Manawatu¯ College Old Boys and won 3-1. College has undergone some changes this year, with a new coach in Gary Phillips and four new players.

Phillips said he stepped in two weeks out from the competition as the club hadn’t managed to find anyone. He said he was satisfied with how the first game panned out due to the changes in the team.

Jordan Cohen had a standout game and Phillips said he had recently made the New Zealand High Performance Academy, at just 16 years old.

Marist played Tech College Old Boys in Whanganui and won 5-1 and

Palmerston North Boys’ High School had a bye.

With the Central District Under 21 competition starting on Sunday, the game schedule is disrupted for a couple of weeks. Both men and women will be playing some weeknight games.