Men’s finalists found
The semifinalists have been found in the Manawatu¯ women’s club competition, while the men’s two finalists have been confirmed with a week to play.
Top women’s qualifier College, who had the bye last weekend, finished on top and will play fourthplaced Whanganui in the semifinals today. Second-placed High School Hockey Club and Palmerston North Girls’ High School will play in the other semifinal, a replay of their final-round match at the twin turfs last weekend, which High School won comfortably 6-0.
High School were in control for most of the game and had other opportunities they didn’t put away. They led 4-0 at halftime.
High School shifted the ball well with great passing and used both sides of the field.
Anna Willocks was High School’s biggest threat, with her running with the ball, and she scored a hattrick. Experienced defender Wendy Ridd controlled the game at the back. Maddie Harris made a few solo breaks for Girls’ High.
Willocks, who recently graduated from St Joseph’s University in the United States, has been nominated for the prestigious NCAA woman-of-the-year award, which recognises graduating student athletes who performed on and off the field. Palmerston North’s Willocks has been studying at St Joseph’s in Philadelphia for the past four years. Her High School teammate Kate Blincoe will follow the same path, having recently left Manawatu¯ to study at St Joseph’s.
In the other women’s match, Whanganui beat Massey 5-2.
There is still a week remaining in the men’s top four round-robin, but College and Levin Hockey can’t be caught, so they will play in the men’s final next weekend. There are no semifinals, just the top two qualify for the final.
College will be confident heading into the final after they beat Levin 5-0.
The game was played at a high tempo and swung from end to end.
The first half was tight and College were up just 1-0. But they scored four goals in the second half to stamp their dominance on the game.
Midfielder Aaron Inward, one of five goal scorers, was College’s player of the day, while Angus Hazlett played well too.
Marist came back to snatch a 2-all draw with Massey.
The students were on top for most of the game, leading 2-0 at halftime, but let Marist in late in the game, with two late goals to level the scores.
Massey had much of the possession and a lot more shots than Marist, but couldn’t convert that to more goals. Matt Peel was Massey’s standout on the right side.
In the final round, Levin host Massey and Marist will play College in Palmerston North.
Standings: Women: College 32, High School Hockey Club 28, Girls’ High 13, Whanganui 11, Massey 3. Men: College 12, Levin Hockey 12, Massey 4, Marist 1.