Tight game as Stratford plays Northern Wildcats

The CMK Stratford Women’s A Hockey Team played the Northern Wildcats last weekend, losing 2-1.

This was a potential final match being the top teams and Stratford was on attack for the first 20 minutes. About half way through Lara Williams picked up a loose pass from the defence and scored the team’s only goal of the game. The wildcats responded by scoring one straight back.

The game was tight during the second half, with neither team wanting to give away space or the ball. Stratford stayed composed under the pressure and played some great hockey. However, unfortunately the wildcats managed the put one past the player of the day, Claudia Gelling in the goal, to snatch the win.

The Brian Darth Funeral Services Men’s A Hockey Team locked horns with New Plymouth Boys High School, booking a place in the final after a 3-0 win.

With two draws this season the game promised to have added spice. Stratford absorbed some early pressure and after five minutes broke out to earn a penalty corner. Curtis Boyde passed to Jayden Roodbeen to deflect it in. The game ebbed and flowed for the next period until a defensive transition saw the ball quickly down the right with Jessie Whitehead who dribbled into the circle to score the second goal. More pressure absorbed by Stratford’s back four and another turnover was moved quickly through the field for Curtis Boyde to score and a 3-0 half time lead.

The second half and Stratford were under pressure with NPBHS earning penalty corners. However, some sound defence and great work by the player of the day, Chris West in goal, ensured they didn’t score.

The Matthew & Co Real Estate Stratford B Women’s Hockey Team travelled to New Plymouth to play Apex Women, losing 8-0. Having a few players out and the coach overseas, the women knew it was going to be a hard task. Stratford played some good hockey, but with players out of position, things did not go their way.

Le Dejeuner Catering Broadway Hockey Team headed to New Plymouth again to take on Masters, winning 3-2.

Both teams kept on the pump the whole time. Broadway made some nice breakaways and created opportunities through each layer of play. Rhys Millyn and Stephen Wooldridge had a good game up the front. The Masters Men could not equalise in the last seconds. Wooldridge was player of the match.

Games in Stratford: Broadway vs Te Kiri, 11am, B Women vs NP Girls B, 2pm, A Men vs NPOB, 3.30pm. In New Plymouth: A Women vs Masters,

1.30pm, Avon vs NPBHS 2 XI,

4.30pm.