Vaughan Hilton Reporting for Waikato Hockey:
Storage King University stayed on track for a three-peat of titles by downing a plucky Hamilton Old Girls unit 3-1 and qualify for the third round final next week against McWhannell Roofing Suburbs. A brace of first half goals to University’s Libby Bird gave them the impetus for the win, with Olivia Scotland extending the students half time advantage before Old Girls struck back through Honor Young. Suburbs improvement throughout their first season in the Premier Women’s Division was aptly rewarded when they qualified for next week’s final after drawing 2 all against Fraser Tech on Saturday. They advanced ahead of Tech by being the higher qualifier going into their semi. Tech’s Acacia Kelsen and Suburbs Julena Phillips traded first half goals in a tightly fought game. Holly Finn broke the deadlock with a superb solo effort after a quick breakout from deep defense beating several defenders before cooly eliminating the goalie to score. Tech left their revival all too late as they pressed hard for goals with their only reward coming a minute from time when Amy Williams tapped in from close range.
In the Men’s Semi’s, Fraser Tech were pushed all the way by CBK Suburbs eventually prevailing 4-3 in a thrilling match. Luke Coxhead was deadly accurate at PC time to open the scoring in a tense first half. Suburbs replied with a well taken field goal to Daniel Scanlon after the break but Kendall Nolan restored Tech’s advantage. Tenga Rangitauira showed all his skills with brilliant solo effort immediately from the restart ripping through the Tech defense with aplomb to again lock up the scores. Tech’s Luke Sinclair rifled in a reverse strike to again wrest the advantage back but a tenacious Suburbs side once again levelled the scores after some excellent interpassing from the midfield found space for Leon Teeao to convert. Coxhead capped off the game like he started with a pin point accurate drag to seal the 4-3 win. Tech will play CBD University in next week’s final after the students downed a depleted Aber Hamilton Old Boys 7-3 in a free flowing encounter. Jitesh Sima opened the scoring from a PC with Kyle Ostenfeld and Matt Rees-Gibbs both finishing in style to give the students a handy 3 goal lead. Old Boys Jamie Kane reduced the lead before the break. A second half hat trick to University’s Nick Trebilcock and a Connor Herewini strike sealed the win with Ashley Finn securing a brace for Old Boy’s.
In the 5th v 6th playoff Ecolab Te Awamutu powered away to a 7-3 win over Admore Promotions University with Patrick Wilson leading the way with a hat trick and Trin Waaka, Ben Coxhead, Ben Deroles and Shaun Hazelton also converting. University’s Lourens Steytler also scored a hat trick in reply.