College on top for playoffs
College will take top billing into the Manawatu¯ women’s club playoffs after a win over rivals High School Hockey Club.
College won 4-1 at Palmerston North’s twin turfs last Saturday to put them on top of the table and they can’t be caught even though they have the bye in the final round this weekend. There is one more week before the semifinals.
College, set to finish the season unbeaten and as Challenge Cup holders, were on top for large parts of the game, with their midfield dominating, and they played good team hockey. They scored a goal in each quarter, then High School got on the board in the last five minutes.
College goalkeeper Lisa Rowland had a great game, making some cracking saves, while others to stand out were Saffy Cribb, Gracen Keyes-kumeroa, Olivia Te Awe Awe and striker Emma Rainey. Their passing work kept finding space and their defence held strongly.
College also have former Black Stick Michaela Curtis back from overseas, who will play for Central at the National Hockey League in September.
Palmerston North Girls’ High School won 5-0 over Whanganui.
Massey had the bye.
The women’s top four won’t change regardless of the final-round results, with College on top, HSHC second, Girls’ High third and Whanganui fourth.
In the men’s competition, College grabbed a come-from-behind 3-2 win against Massey after a thrilling final eight minutes.
Massey was in control for large parts of the game and led 2-0 going into the fourth quarter.
However, College, who were given a couple of cards, finally got on the scoreboard through a Dion Spackman reverse with eight minutes left, which swung the momentum College’s way.
College then netted two more goals in the dying moments, scoring from big sweeping movements upfield, with Aaron Purser, who was player of the day, scoring both the goals.
Purser chipped the goalkeeper to score the winning goal.
It had been a tight game, with Massey scoring their first goal from a stroke.
Levin Hockey secured their first final appearance, with a 7-1 win over Marist.
Levin scored in the first couple of minutes, but it took them a long time to score the second, as they took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Marist threatened at the start, but then Levin took over.
Things clicked up front for Levin and they scored four goals in the third quarter. Marist grabbed a late consolation goal.
Levin striker Jordan Tupara scored a hat-trick. Their defence was solid and they put a lot of pressure on Marist, turning over the ball, then their midfield fed their strikers well.
There are two more weeks of the regular season, but College and Levin are likely to clash in the final. Levin have already secured their position and College are unlikely to be overtaken by Massey.
Meanwhile, Central had five players named in the New Zealand under-18 squads following Central’s success at the national tournament.
Maddie Harris, Hannah Cotter and Ruby Baker were picked in the girls’ team, while Sean Findlay and Patrick Madder were picked for the boys’ side.
Standings: Women: College 32, HSHC 25, Girls’ High 13, Whanganui 8, Massey 3. Men: Levin Hockey 12, College 9, Massey 3, Marist 0.
This week: Women: Massey v Whanganui, 12.15pm; Girls’ High v HSHC, 2pm; College bye. Men: Levin Hockey v College, Levin, 1.30pm; Marist v Massey, 1.45pm.