Clubs share titles after rain hits
Few fancied playing underwater hockey during the Manawatu¯ club hockey finals.
The two division one club titles were shared after heavy rain halted play on finals day at Palmerston North’s twin turfs on Saturday. The turfs were flooded, so the titles were shared.
College and Levin Hockey shared the men’s title, while High School Hockey Club and College shared the women’s.
It is the first time Levin has won the title.
Hockey Manawatu¯ competitions manager Willie Mcphail said they tried to see if the teams could play on Sunday, but couldn’t find a compromise.
The High School women’s team led 1-0 at halftime before the deluge meant their game was called off.
High School coach Georgia Barnett said it was the best decision.
‘‘Probably the first quarter was playable, but the second quarter turned into underwater hockey.’’
They didn’t want to play a final in those conditions and it would have been hard if they had to come back to play the final another day, she said.
‘‘It was good to get a result of some description.’’
College coach Sheree Horvath said there was nothing to be done about the bad weather.
‘‘You can’t help it, can you. ‘‘It’s a bit of a rough way to finish the season but there’s not a lot you can do about it.
‘‘It was such a horrendous day.’’ College men’s assistant coach Ben Molloy said it was a shame to end a long season that way.
He said everyone had turned up expecting to play on Saturday.
Levin coach Corey Prouting said it wasn’t what they wanted.
‘‘It wasn’t ideal at all when you build up to it all season, but that’s life.’’
He said some of their supporters hadn’t been able to make it to Palmerston North for the finals because of flooding in Horowhenua.
Prouting, a Levin farmer, had 60 millimetres of rain in three hours at his house on Saturday afternoon.
The lower-grade finals managed to be played, though.
High School won the men’s B section final 1-0 over Whanganui and College Development won the division two women’s final 1-0 against High School Evergreens.
Massey Reserves won the men’s C section 3-2 against High School Reserves.
Postman won the division three men’s final 4-2 against Levin and College Social won the division three women’s final 3-0 against High School Klassics.
CAPS won the division four men’s final 3-1 over College C.