Vaughan Hilton reporting for Waikato Hockey:
In the opening match of Round Three of the Waikato Premier Hockey competition Fraser Tech Men leapt to the top of the table after securing maximum points in their 3-2 victory over rival title contenders CBD University. Alec Wilson gave Tech the early lead and then extended their advantage in a tense and closely fought match through Zac Woods. The students responded well and a brace to Connor Herewini either side of the half time break leveled the scores and set the game up for a frenetic finish. Matt Taylor sealed the win for Tech assuring them top spot in the competition after Aber Hamilton Old Boys were held to a four all draw against CKL Suburbs.
Old Boys remain second on the table but were made to fight hard by a Suburbs outfit that had previously struggled to convert scoring chances. Daniel Scanlon changed all that for Suburbs nabbing two neatly taken first half goals. Old Boys prolific 1st round scorer Leo Wells was again in fine form pegging back Suburbs lead to one at the break and leveling the game after the resumption. Old Boys conceded an own goal as the game see-sawed back into Suburbs favour but Wells stepped up again to bang in two further goals and another four goal game match haul to wrest the advantage back. Scanlon was aptly rewarded for a standout game completing his own hat trick and grabbing a vital share of the points for Suburbs.
Ecolab Te Awamutu remain in semi final contention despite conceding two early first half goals to the Admore Promotions University Reserves side. Te Awamutu rattled in four first half goals to Ben Coxhead (2), Joe Holm, and Patrick Wilson and stamping a strangle hold on the game. As the heavens opened free flowing hockey was curtailed and Te Awamutu sealed the 6-2 victory with second half goals to Peter Leach with a slick PC variation and Holm. After an initially sloppy start Te Awamutu’s defense was rock solid led by Ben Wilson and Cyrano Embling thwarting any second half University come back.
In Women’s matches, Storage King University lost their points for last week’s winning game through a technicality but regained the top spot on the championship table when downing title rivals Tech Blue 5-2. The students held a slender 2-1 half time advantage with goals to Alia Jaques and Cat Pollock responded to by Tech’s Amy Williams. Tech gained parity early after the break with Kim Gill leveling but University’s strike power rose to the challenge rattling in three unanswered goals to Brooke Neal, Emma Andrews and Jaques.
McWhannell Roofing Suburbs rose to the challenge although playing without inspirational ex Blackstick Kate Mahon in their match up against Ecolab Te Awamutu. Both sides played excellent defensive screens throughout the match thwarting any scoring. Suburbs sit second on the table courtesy of a technical win against University but with the remaining match between Fraser Tech White and Hamilton Old Girls being rained off (to be replayed Monday), that place may briefly held. Tech led 2 nil before rain washed out any chance of completing the match.