HOCKEY REPORT

■ On Friday night the CMK Stratford Women’s A Hockey Team took on top of the table Ha¯ wera Women’s A Team, winning 5-2.

The girls took a long time to be fired up in the first half but managed to find the back of the net first, through Lara Williams. With different players in different positions, it took a little while to get a natural flow. Three youngsters up the front showed a lot of heart and determination, chasing a lot of loose ball, which led to another goal. Stratford went into the second half feeling they had a lot more to give. Seeing Ha¯ wera get two goals, fired the girls up and they started pushing forward with purpose. Goal scorers were Lara Williams

(4), Julia Howatson (1) and player of the day was Elisha Black. Stratford are now in the top three on the table.

■ The Brian Darth Funeral Services Men’s A Hockey Team took on Ha¯ wera last Friday, winning 4-1.

The Ha¯ wera side improved remarkably from when the two teams met in the season opener three months ago. They started with purpose, overloading the right side and pressuring the Stratford circle. Slowly Stratford started to create space through the midfield, but unlocking the Ha¯ wera goal proved tough. It took a penalty corner for Brock Engelen to score from outside the left post. Curtis Boyde made the most of some good passing to give a 2-0 lead at half time. In the second half Rhys Millynn scored from a scramble in the circle. A fine Scott Williams pass gave Boyde a second. Ha¯ wera claimed one back a top of the circle deflection.

■ The Matthew & Co Real Estate Stratford B Women’s Hockey Team came up against the

Ha¯ wera Women’s B Team on Saturday, losing 2-0.

Stratford played some constructive sets of play and had many opportunities, but the ball was not able to find the back of the net. Player of the day went to Menisha Walia for determination throughout.

■ The Le Dejeuner Catering Broadway Hockey Team played New Plymouth Boys High School

2nd XI for a nail biting and entertaining game in the men’s championship grade, winning

3-2.

Both teams made for an intense first half with Broadway dominating the opposition circle for the first 15 minutes. However, Boys High got away and scored a field goal. Stratford came back hard with Rhys Millynn slipping one in for Broadway, but Boys High were not giving up easily and snuck one back before half time. Broadway kept up the pace in the second half and settled down for a more composed game. This resulted in two more goals scored by Gil Sandford, one being from a beautiful straight shot off a penalty corner. Sandford was player of the day.

■ The CMK Stratford Avon Men’s Hockey Team played the Te Kiri Rovers, losing 8-0.

With Te Kiri playing with no goalie, Avon tried hard to get down the opposition end. Unfortunately, the link of the chain did not quite link and Te Kiri seemed to keep finding Avon’s net. Avon’s player of the day went to Alistair Lilley for his never-ending determination.

■ Games this week. Saturday in Stratford: B Women v Apex at

12pm, A Women v Te Kiri 3pm, A Men v Te Kiri 6pm.

Saturday in New Plymouth: Avon v Masters 4.30pm, Broadway v Northern 6pm.