Waikato 2013 Finals Day Report

15/09/2013

Vaughan Hilton reporting for Waikato Hockey:

In Men’s Matches, CBD University couldn’t repeat the success of their women’s teams when being shut out in the Premier grade final 7-0 by a dominant display from Fraser Tech. Tech never let University into the game with Matt Taylor, Nick Woods and Lloyd McLaughlin all converting first half chances. Any thoughts of a revival were snuffed out when University lost the organizational experience of Craig Hardman through injury. Fraser Tech’s well drilled midfield created a steady supply of quality ball for their strikers to exploit with Luke Sinclair, Luke Coxhead, Sean Brunton, and Tim Seifert all converting. The win was due reward for Tech who had missed out on both of their previous round title attempts despite being the form side of the competition.

New World Old Boys came out on top 4-0 in their keenly contested Reserve Grade final win against Insight Fraser Tech. Scoring twice in each half with Maurice McMillin, Declan Windham-Smith with a brace, and Adam Smale all converting. Fraser Tech were unfortunate not to capitalise on their goal attempts.

Te Awamutu Dev were pushed all the way in the 3rd Division final and led through a Matt Scoble strike midway through the second half. Bidvest University pulled their keeper with five minutes to go and the move paid off when Gareth Tobin snatched the equalizer. Te Awamutu prevailed by 3-1 in a penalty shootout after neither side could score during two periods of extra time.

University Women dominated all three divisions in Waikato Hockey Association’s finals day to complete a clean sweep of titles. Storage King University women dominated the Premier Women’s final from the outset in their 8-3 win against McWhannell Roofing Suburbs with Rachel Smith and Olivia Scotland both converting early chances. Suburbs were left to rue a couple of missed opportunities but a rocketing PC strike from former Blackstick Clarissa Eshuis kept the game in the balance. The students responded well with Libby Bird and Emma Andrews both finishing off to extend their half time advantage to three. Jess Turner converted an early second half chance but again Eshuis responded with another PC to keep Suburbs in the contest. University’s Junior Blackstick Kim Tanner showed an array of skills to score and further goals to Mikayla Ensor and Andrews blew the scoreline out to wrest the game away from Suburbs. Eshuis completed a deserved hat trick with a rifling reverse to finish the scoring.

PR Carter Contracting University proved too strong for Te Awamutu Blue to take out the Reserve Grade final 5-0 with Michaela Berry scoring a hat trick, Georgia Williams, and Lucy Olphert also scoring.

Earlier Salon ID University 3 (Stacey Stuart, Laura Clark, Janelle Nipper) beat Hamilton Old Girls 1 (Paige Saunders) to take out the 3rd Grade championship.