Vaughan Hilton reporting for Waikato Hockey:
Honours’ were shared in the 3rd annual Ben Gilby-Todd memorial match between CBD University and CKL Suburbs. Holders University dominated the first half and led 2-1 at the break through a Suburbs own goal and a Connor Herewini conversion which was replied to by Michael Atkin for Suburbs. The second half saw both sides’ trade periods of dominance in a more even affair with Chris Harding leveling the scores. Neither side took full toll of their scoring opportunities but as the game looked destined for a draw, Suburbs’ Tom Gilby-Todd threw a delightful long ball into the circle finding an unmarked Jury Herewini who deftly slotted the goal. The students responded immediately from the restart when Gourav Correa reacted quickest during a goalmouth melee to again lock up the scores. Both sides threw caution to the wind in a frenetic close with Suburbs narrowly missing out on the win after Harding carved his way through several defenders and, with just the keeper to beat, shot just wide of the mark. The 3 all draw leaves both sides needing to win their matches next week to make the semi finals. Suburbs will play Ecolab Te Awamutu who this week fought valiantly against the competition frontrunners Fraser Tech eventually succumbing 0-5. Zac Woods scored a hat trick with Kendall Nolan and Sean Brunton also converting in a less than convincing win. Tech will take on Hamilton Old Boys next week in a top of table clash with the latter making no race of their 10-0 win against Admore Promotions University. Old Boys raced away to a 6-0 half time lead with Michael Petherick and Jonty Keaney both scoring twice, Gareth Nuzum slotting a drag flicked PC, and Richard Petherick ranged high from defense to slam in a well taken field goal. Keaney featured strongly again in the second half bagging a further brace with Leo Wells and Nuzum completing the scoring rout.
The women’s matches provided several unpredictable results with frontrunners Storage King University held to a 3 all draw against Fraser Tech Blue. Cat Pollock opened the scoring for University and turned provider delivering a ball for Anna Pryde to touch in but Anzel Viljeon kept the game close for Tech. A marked improvement in the second half saw Tech dominate with Alex Lukin and Carla Johl both converting. The students shared the points through a Jess Nesbitt goal. Tech Blue only need a draw against Suburbs next week to secure a semi final spot but given the improvement seen by Suburbs they will need to be as efficient as they were this week.
McWhannell Roofing Suburbs notched their first win of the round downing Hamilton Old Girls 1-0. A hard drive into the circle by Clarissa Eshuis was deflected by a defender for an own goal just before the half time break with both sides struggling for penetration against excellent defensive screens. Debi Gallagher was once again rock solid in goal for Suburbs and was only beaten late in the game, but, marking a memorable return from injury, Jess Gilby-Todd saved off the line to keep Old Girls scoreless.
Ecolab Te Awamutu continued their impressive rise in form and lifted themselves into second on the points table past the previously unbeaten Fraser Tech White with a comprehensive 8-0 victory. Tech was severally depleted for this match conceding four goals in each half. The prolific Neve McLean continued her fine scoring form notching another four goals in this match alone. Both sides had already secured a top four spot with Tech White having a tricky last match against University and Te Awamutu will face an Old Girls outfit still in with an outside chance of a top four finish, albeit other results will have to go their way.