Hockey reps lose grip on shield
The coveted Pope Shield slipped from Marlborough’s grasp in Greymouth on Sunday.
Marlborough, holders of the prestigious symbol of senior women’s hockey supremacy in the top of the south, appeared well in charge of their pivotal final game before traditional rivals Nelson snatched victory away from them in the second half.
Things looked good for Marlborough immediately after halftime, when a goal from striker Emma Rose-Allison saw them take a 4-1 lead in a match they had to win to retain the trophy.
However, Nelson stepped up their game and Marlborough were unable to stay with them, quick counterattacks catching them napping as Nelson dominated possession, forced a series of penalty corners and scored four goals in 30 minutes to prevail 5-4.
Marlborough coach Denise Lloyd, while disappointed with the second half slide that denied her side success, said ‘‘overall we played pretty well’’.
‘‘I was really happy with how the team came together, it was just that second half against Nelson that cost us. The players can be proud of themselves, they gave it their all.’’
Lloyd was also impressed by the overall standard of play at the annual tournament, suggesting the new Tasman pathway was beginning to produce results with the level [of play] rising.
She said that if there was a silver lining to the loss of the shield it was that Nelson’s long-serving mentor Craig Brett, who is leaving the district, got an appropriate send off.
In the first half of the trophy decider Nelson scored first, but a Rose-Allison goal soon after had Marlborough on level terms after seven minutes.
Further goals to strikers Harriet Ryan and Sophie Lamain saw Marlborough ahead 3-1 at the break and when Rose-Allison scored her second soon after the restart it was Marlborough’s game for the taking.
They set up their opportunity to hold onto the shield with a draw and a victory on Saturday.
First up, Marlborough met a West Coast side strengthened by a couple of NHL players with ties to the region. In an exciting, end-toend encounter goals were hard to come by. The teams were locked 0-0 at the break before striker Pip Lunn put Marlborough ahead 10 minutes into the second half.
The Coasters lifted their game, dominating possession but Marlborough’s defence held until the 65th minute when a lapse in concentration saw the home side score from a penalty corner to snatch a draw.
Left half Emma Burrell, centre half Yvonne Boyd, fullback Loren Hickin, right half Megan Bailey, Lunn and her sister Stacey Lloyd at inside left were to the fore, although this was very much a team effort against a tough opponent.
On Saturday afternoon Marlborough came away with a 4-0 win over a defence-orientated Buller side. Goals to Lunn and Burrell saw Marlborough ahead 2-0 at halftime, then Lamain and RoseAllison scored from penalty corner variations to wrap it up after the break.
Buller’s goalie had plenty of work to do and produced an out- standing display, foiling numerous Marlborough scoring attempts.
Five Marlborough players - Lunn, Lloyd, Hickin, Burrell and Boyd - were named in the tournament team.
The Marlborough women’s A team comprised Hannah Hocquard, Terri Willcocks, Loren Hickin, Libby Griggs, Emma Burrell, Megan Bailey, Pip Lunn, Yvonne Boyd, Sophie Lamain, Emma Rose-Allison, Nikita Watkins, Harriet Ryan, Jo Jones, Stacey Lloyd and Shannon Crene.
Meanwhile the Marlborough women’s B team competed for the Gladstone Cup, played over one day as Buller were unable to field a B team.
On Saturday morning Marlborough beat West Coast 5-0 but then lost 3-1 to Nelson in their evening clash. Scorers against Coast were Tegan Williams and Jess Hamblin with two each and Claudia Clark. Standout players were 15-year-old Ella Williams, Williams, Tania Hix, Hamblin, Lou Westenra and Angie Davies. In the decider, Nelson scored first but Hamblin levelled the scores soon after. After being level at halftime, Nelson scored twice in the second spell and Marlborough. although they fought hard, could not reply. Players to impress were goalie Caitlyn King, Westenra and Clark in defence, plus Tash Veltman and Rosie Lamain up front.
Five players made the tournament team - Clark, Ella Williams, Tegan Williams, Hix and King.