Te Puke 1st XI top division 1
Te Puke High School Boys 1st XI Hockey team are the division 1 champions.
The final against Tauranga Boys’ College Orange to become the Division 1 Champions was a see-saw battle for the first 17 minutes until captain Michael Klaus drove towards the opposition’s goal and hit a rebounded shot of his own to break the deadlock and give Te Puke a 1-0 lead.
This spurred the Te Puke team into action and within a minute the team found themselves back in front of Tauranga’s goal through some slick passing.
It was the quick thinking of Cameron Boyd who fired another successful shot at goal.
Tauranga showed heart after this and really tested the Te Puke defence on numerous occasions.
The Te Puke players worked hard and showed confidence and composure throughout. A credit to themselves and the coaching and management team of Richard Klaus and Chris Stark.
Tauranga kept coming and much of the second half possession and territory belonged to them, but the TPHS defence was resolute and held firm for a 2-0 win.
TPHS goalie Brodie Hide made a couple of great saves and Conal Mikkelsen, Ethan Milsom and Jay Read all played well.
The team has come a long way this year with some great captaincy, strong development and a real belief in themselves.