Waikato Premier Hockey Report – Week 8

09/06/2013

Vaughan Hilton reporting for the Waikato Hockey Association.

In the match of the day, first round champions Storage King University put on a stunning display of precision passing and free flowing hockey. The ever present Emma Andrews was on hand to tap in the opener and captain Cat Pollock rifled in a stunning solo effort to grab the early advantage for the students. McWhannell Roofing Suburbs, bolstered by the return to Premier Women’s Hockey of Black Stick Clarissa Eshuis, stunned the students with a superb finish from Julena Phillips. Pollock replied in kind from the restart and Libby Bird extended the advantage to 4-1 midway through the half. Brooke Neale converted from the penalty spot and Kate Southee converted from a PC variation just before the break. Suburbs defended more efficiently in the second stanza thanks to a brilliant display from goal tender Debi Gallagher but the students’ efficiency on attack still saw three further goals to Andrews, Olivia Scotland and Kim Tanner for a deserved 9-1 win.

Ecolab Te Awamutu shook off their early season poor finishing form to defeat Fraser Tech Blue 4-0. The ageless Robbie Matthews controlled play well in the midfield and opened the scoring. Anahura Hudson also converted a rare first half chance to extend the lead to two before the break. Neve McLean capped off a fine attacking game with a well earned goal and Hudson completed the scoring. Tech’s standouts were Nicky O’Donnell and Shannon Cochrane whilst Te Awamutu’s Maddie McLean had an outstanding all round game.

Defeated Championship round finalists Fraser Tech White dominated their opening second round encounter against Hamilton Old Girls and led 3 nil at the break with goals to Imogen Neal, Chloe Nesbitt, and Shiloh Gloyn. Old Girls contested well in the second half and kept the dangerous Tech forwards in check for most of the half. Gloyn added to her first half strike to complete the 4-0 win.

Championship Round winners Aber Hamilton Old Boys were made to work hard for their 3-0 win over Ecolab Te Awamutu in the opening match played on Saturday. Bolstered by the return of Black Sticks defender Richard Petherick, the Champions were seldom troubled on defense, but an early injury to their prolific goal scorer Leo Wells seemed to upset the attacking structure. Richard Petherick made a pinpoint pass to find brother Michael in space to open the scoring for Old Boys but resilient defense and poor option taking left the game in the balance until Aidan Sarikara drilled in a half chance just before the break. Leo Wells made a brief return to the field in the second half and made immediate impact to increase Old Boys lead to three. The final score could have been much higher had the champions converted from both set piece and the field, failing to capitalise on any of the PC’s and missing vital touches in front of goal.

CKL Suburbs made heavier work in defeating Admore Promotions University 4-0 than they should have. In similar fashion to opening game, Suburbs failed to take chances in front of goal. Aaron Barnsdall opened the scoring with a low strike from their first PC and Chris Harding converted twice either side of the break and Aaron Clulow completed the scoring.

Fraser Tech made no race of their match against CBD University rattling in four unanswered first half goals. Kendall Nolan opened Tech’s account early and goals flowed throughout a dominant first half display with Luke Coxhead, Heath Sinclair and Jimmy Linehan all converting. The students upped their game in the second half and pegged back the deficit with a Connor Herewini strike. Tech sealed the 6-2 win with conversions to Zac Woods and Lloyd McLaughlin but blemished their performance somewhat in their verbal abuse of the two best umpires officiating the game. Abir Mukherjee scored a late consolation goal for University.