Taranaki U15 hockey boys face testing time

An inexperienced Taranaki under15 boys’ hockey team will be put to the test this week when they attend the age-group’s national premier competition.

The tournament, which is being held in Nelson and runs from Monday to Saturday, will see the squad take on Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Bay of Plenty before cross-over games begin on Thursday.

New Plymouth’s Lachlan Hanser and Brayden Sharp will lead the team as captain and vicecaptain respectively. The two are the only players in the squad with representative experience at the under-15 level.

The team were disappointed to lose striker Riley McDonald to a broken leg, while New Plymouth Boys’ High School defender Jack Mitchell - who made himself available at the last minute - also suffered a season-ending injury at the team’s final practise which ruled him out.

As a result, only 14 players would travel to the tournament, however they were determined to work hard for one another to ensure their position at the tournament is safe for 2018.

The team will face their first major test early on, taking on the top-ranked side in their pool, Hawke’s Bay, on Monday. Hawke’s Bay are expected to easily qualify for the top four.

They will then play Wellington on Tuesday and Bay of Plenty on Wednesday.

Coach Marion Webby was pleased with the progress and improvement the boys had shown over the last 10 weeks and was looking forward to being competitive come game time.

‘‘What the boys lack in experience they more than make up in enthusiasm and motivation and I just think it is fantastic these players are proud to represent Taranaki and will try their hardest in each game.’’

The Taranaki under-15 girls’ squad will also travel to their agegroup premier tournament, which is being hosted by North Harbour and runs over the same dates.

"What the boys lack in experience they more than make up in enthusiasm and motivation and I just think it is fantastic these players are proud to represent Taranaki and will try their hardest in each game."

Taranaki under-15 boys' coach Marion Webby