The race for Intercity semi final spots has become tight for most of the Waikato based sides after a mixed weekend of results.
In Pool A, Hooper Cup champions The Riv Suburbs Piako suffered a surprise 0-1 loss to previously winless Otumoetai and will need to win all three remaining games to make the semis.
Fraser Tech’s chances disappeared after being emphatically beaten 6-2 by the well performed Papakura side.

(PHOTO:Tech Striker Owen Mitai-Wells on the charge)

In the only locally played men’s game, Tech competed well in the first half but trailed early after Peter van Bruegal gave the visitors the lead with a finely taken field goal. Russell Cathcart replied for Tech before the break but with the turf still waterlogged both sides lacked any real penetration on attack. Papakura showed more clinical second half finishing with the turf drying off with Michael Hook, James Glen and Malcolm Cooper converting chances to give Papakura the winning advantage. Tech rallied for a period but Midlands NHL goalkeeping contender Andrew Lawson was in fine form to deny Tech’s strikers until Darren Luckin finally found space to rifle home a reverse shot to give Tech a slim hope. Glen immediately restored the visitors’ advantage and Daniel Kean completed the rout. Papakura will only need a win against Suburbs next week or Onewhero in their remaining games to ensure a semi finals spot along with undefeated Valley United.

Valley demolished Onewhero Pukekohe 8-0 and look likely title contenders. In Pool B matches the results were more favourable for the Waikato teams with Hamilton Old Boys 6-2 victors over Rotorua Indians and top of the table University CBD downing Pukekohe Indians 5-1.

Four sides are still in contention for semi final spots to join the students with some interesting match ups next week. In Women’s matches early favourites Otumoetai top the standings after Papakura defaulted with the other unbeaten sides Rotorua Aces and University having a game in hand. Fraser Tech cemented themselves in the top four with an emphatic 7-2 win over hosts Taupo and Onewhero Pukekohe remain an outside top four contender after they ground out a hard fought 2-1 away victory against Te Awamutu in Hamilton. Britta Hansen gave the visitors the perfect start in the opening minutes but Jacki Forsyth equalised from a PC mid way through the first half. Danielle Bax was elusive up front for Onewhero Pukekoke and found space to score the winning goal from close range. Emma Walter was rock solid in the midfield for the visitors whilst Robbie Mathews and Tosca Warren were the pick of the Te Awamutu players.

For the record
MIDLANDS INTERCITY HOCKEY LEAGUE, Results 12/7/08:
Premier Men,
Fraser-Tech 2 lost to Papakura 6, HT 1-1;
Cosmopolitan Otumoetai 1 beat The RIV Suburbs 0, HT 1-0;
Valley United 8 beat Onewhero Pukekohe 0;
Tauranga Old Boys 0, Mt Maunganui 2, HT 0-2;
University CBD 5 Pukekohe Indians 1, HT 1-0;
Hamilton Old Boys 6 beat Rotorua Indians 2, HT 1-2;

Premier Women:
Otumoetai beat Papakura by default;
Te Awamutu 1 lost to Onewhero Pukekohe 2, HT 1-2;
Rotorua Aces 1 beat Valley United 0, HT 1-0;
Fraser-Tech 7 beat Taupo 2, HT 3-2.