HSHC men undefeated but College snatches draw
A controversial umpiring decision in the men’s club hockey competition left College drawing with High School Hockey Club 1-1.
The result at Palmerston North’s twin turfs on Saturday means HSHC is the only undefeated club in either the men’s and women’s competition.
College were down 1-0 after HSHC player Sam Hay scored first.
They fought back and managed to gain a controversial goal awarded to Ben Molloy, which HSHC disputed.
They said the ball hit a piece of rubber just inside the post and questioned whether the whole ball had gone over the line or not.
However, the umpires stuck by their decision and the goal was awarded.
HSHC had more shots on goal than College, but failed to convert.
College struggled to reach the circle, but made the most of their opportunities once there.
Massey beat Marist 3-1, and
Palmerston North Boys’ High School lost 2-0 to Whanganui Tech Old Boys. Levin: Manawatu¯ College Old Boys had a bye.
In the women’s competition,
High School Hockey Club beat
College 5-0 in a mid-week game on Wednesday night last week.
Pippa Norman scored two goals and Emma Sorensen, Anna Willocks and Helen France scored one each.
College came out slowly and spent most of the first half defending, as HSHC gained multiple penalty corners.
Norman showed she is a force to be reckoned at the top of the circle, with a strong drag flick on display in penalty corners.
In the women’s matches on Saturday, College bounced back to beat Massey 3-0.
Massey came out firing and displayed a stronger attitude than they have previously in the season.
In the first quarter, they kept putting pressure on College’s defence.
Both teams made basic errors, but College started linking passes more as the match went on, gaining more opportunities in the circle.
Anna Crowley scored two goals for College, while Rebecca Symes scored the final goal.
High School Hockey Club thrashed Palmerston North Girls’ High School 9-0.
At a glance
Standings – Men: College 22, HSHC 21, Massey 20, Marist 18, Levin 11, TCOB 6, Boys’ High 3. Women: HSHC 34, College 23, Girls’ High 11, Massey 1. This week: Men: HSHC v Levin, 1.30pm; College v TCOB, 3pm; Marist bye. Women: HSHC v Massey, 1.30pm; Girls’ High v College, 3pm.