Cracking start for Manawatu¯ rep teams
Manawatu¯’s senior rep hockey teams got their campaigns off to a flier with two resounding wins over Hawke’s Bay.
The Manawatu¯ women won 5-2 and the men 6-1 at the twin turfs on Saturday in the first of two legs for the new Mcaleese Whitelock Challenge Trophy. The return leg is in Hawke’s Bay on August 18.
Hawke’s Bay won the two under18 games. Their under-18 women won 6-1 and the under-18 men won 4-3 on a shootout after the scores had been locked 2-all at fulltime.
Manawatu¯ also have a fixture against Wellington on August 22 in Paraparaumu. The national provincial tournament is later in the year.
Manawatu¯ senior women’s coach Verity Sharland was pleased with the win considering the side didn’t train together before playing.
She was sure they would improve. ‘‘We got up to 5-0 at one point,’’ she said.
‘‘We probably had a few other chances we missed and later probably let in a couple of goals. They were both in the fourth quarter, when we were trying a few different things giving everyone a run.’’
Manawatu¯ had a couple of early scoring chances, but took a while to convert. Once they did score they grabbed a couple more in quick succession as they generated more penalty corners and shots on goal.
They led 3-0 at halftime and defended a couple of Hawke’s Bay penalty corners.
Goalscorer Michaela Curtis was dominant up front and linked well with strikers Maddie Harris and Anna Willocks. Rebecca Baker also stood out.
They were without Charlotte Symes and Kate Blincoe, who were away, and Pippa Norman (injured).
Manawatu¯ men’s coach Tony Brougham said his side played really well.
They had limited preparation time too, with only one training session together. ‘‘It fell apart in the last quarter because I think we were up and probably went away from the game plan because we were so far up. For three quarters of it the guys were really, really good.’’
Manawatu¯ went up 2-0 in the first quarter before Hawke’s Bay had a dominant period, where Manawatu¯ goalkeeper Angus Griffin made good saves.
Then Manawatu¯ took control again, leading 3-0 at halftime. Both sides had other scoring opportunities they didn’t put away.
Goalscoring midfielder Cam Gillespie stood out in his first game for Manawatu¯, as did midfielder Tyler Nicoll-hylton. Mitch Cronin scored two goals.
Jarryd Burrows was another to look good in his rep debut. He was playing for the High School Hockey Club B team midway through last year, but was brought up to the A side and now the reps.
Matt Young, Angus Hazlett and Matt Brougham were unavailable.
Club hockey resumes this weekend.
Saturday’s club draw
Men: HSHC v Massey, Massey University, 1.45pm; College v Whanganui, twin turfs, 1.45pm; Marist v Levin, Levin, 2pm. Women: Massey v HSHC OG, Massey University, 12pm; HSHC A v Whanganui, twin turfs, 1.45pm; College Premier v College A, twin turfs, 3.30pm.