City midfield to fore in win over Momona

Women

City Highlanders beat Momona A 41 at the McMillan Hocky Turf on Saturday to retain the challenge shield.

The fastpaced encounter was an early test of fitness and skill for both teams after the short season preparation.

All eyes were on the City midfield where it looked to control the match through Broode Eddie, Tessa Jopp and Tegan Buchanan. All were heavily involved in the setting up of play for their strikers while Jamie Preston was pivotal in defence.

Momona A looked to once again use its abundance of pace in the attacking third with oneonone confrontations.

Neve McLean proved to be a handful for the Highlanders defence at times, using her many skills close to the circle.

However, the City defence held strong for the majority of the match.

City’s goals came from Bayley Anderson, Caitlin Blakely, Jess Moffett and Sarah Thomas while Jorja Dinan scored Momona A’s goal.

Taieri Tigers and Kings United could not be separated, drawing 33 after Taieri led 21 at the break.

Both sides rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in.

The exciting match was fill with of endtoend action and some well executed strikes at goal.

Bex Clementson, who nabbed a brace, and Sophie Grey scored for Taieri while Susan White, who bagged a double, and Zoe Thomas found the back of the net for Kings United.

Kings United won the shootout 21.

Nothing could get between the University Huskies and University Stingrays. Emma Hopcroft scored for the Stingrays and Maia Shackelford equalised for the Huskies as the game ended 11. The Stingrays won the shootout 20.

Men

The feature men’s match was a top display of skills between the Taieri Tuataras and the University Whales.

The Tuataras, coming off a midweek clash against Albany, were light on their feet despite what might have been heavy legs.

The Whales defended in numbers, waiting for a Taieri mistake to allow counterattacking opportunities. While Taieri enjoyed the majority of the ball, both teams struggled to convert opportunities in the circle.

Maxwell Rasmussen defended well for the Whales and Patrick and Jordan Ward both put in good performance for Taieri.

Striker James Nicolson finished a well worked team effort to put the Tuataras at the right end of the scoreboard.

Kings United recorded a 50 win over Albany.

Kings showed some good finishing and had extended periods of pressure with Craig Turner, Daniel Torr, Hitaua ArahangaDoyle, Thomas Clarkson and Zac Mason all finding the goal in a convincing performance.

University Panthers had the bye.

Both men’s and women’s premier grades have midweek matches this week.