17th September 2007

The University Club featured prominently during the Waikato Hockey Club finals with five teams making it to the seven finals.
Their Premier Women’s side won the HLHC Cup when defeating Southern United 3-1 and their Premier Men’s side repeated their Intercity win but not without a sensational comeback from a four nil deficit to win the Monteith & Parker Cup.
In the ABN AMRO-Craigs match of the day Richard Petherick had given Old Boys the perfect start with a field goal and two trademarked PC drag flicked conversions for a 3-0 half time lead. Petherick looked to have set up an upset win when he increased the Old Boys half time lead to 4 nil after opening the second half scoring with another drag flicked PC this time to the lower left(see photo). Although some supporters had given up hope of a revival, The Cook University stormed back into the game with stunning character which began when Raynesh Smith and Sandeep Puna showed class in finishing off scoring opportunities. A fiercely contested stroke correctly awarded by umpire Dick Silvey turned the tide of the game when converted by Tony Hopping. Old Boy’s resorted to a longer game after that whilst Varsity played with more composure and controlled possession better. Puna provided the equaliser which Ben Tanner managed to tip in and Morice McMillan gave his side the win on the stroke of full time after a goal mouth melee.

Avenue Storage University had less trouble beating Southern United and grabbed control of the match in the first half through goals to Stacey Brannigan and Jennifer Johns. Lymarah Wharerau stretched the lead and Southern United’s Kate Nixon provided the consolation goal.

Hamilton Boy’s High School and St Pauls Collegiate had earlier provided the perfect curtain raiser to the Premier finals when contesting for the Gardiner Cup for the Reserve Grade Men’s championship. Chris Harding and Jamie Kane gave HBHS the early lead but Jonathon Murtagh pegged back the deficit just before the break. With both sides well supported on the sidelines the contest remained in the balance until Zac Woods and Nick Bartels sealed the win for Boys High.

Te Awamutu Gold held off a spirited late challenge from Hill Pharmacy University to win the Reserve Grade women’s Cambridge Classics Cup 2-1.

Hamilton Old Boys Development side staged a late recovery from a two goal deficit against Deepak to force the 3rd Div Men’s final into sudden death extra time. They won the match 4-3 and earn the right to challenge for a Reserve Grade spot.

Video Ezy University’s youth and speed were too much for the experienced Marist women to win the 3rd Div Women’s Tanner Cup 3-1 and Te Awamutu B men prevailed 5-3 over Admor Promotions University for the 4th Div Men’s Rod Lawrence Cup.

For the Record
Waikato Hockey Association Finals
Premier Men Monteith & Parker Cup– The Cook University 5 (Raynesh Smith, Sandeep Puna , Tony Hopping, Ben Tanner, Morice McMillan) defeated Hamilton Old Boys 4(Richard Petherick 4) HT 0-3;

Premier Women HLHC Cup– Avenue Storage University 3 (Stacey Brannigan, Jennifer Johns, Lymarah Wharerau) v Southern United 1 (Kate Nixon), HT 2-0;

Reserve Men Gardiner Cup– HBHS 4 (Chris Harding, Jamie Kane, Zac Woods, Nick Bartels) defeated St Paul’s Collegiate 1 (Jonathan Murtagh) HT 2-1;

Reserve Women Cambridge Classics Cup– Te Awamutu Gold 2 (Jenna Terlesk, Jane Stokes) defeated Hill Pharmacy University 1 (Danielle Bartram), HT 1-0;

Third Division Men Wayne Boyd Cup– Hamilton Old Boys Dev 4 (Marc Carney 2, Kevin Silver, Richard Littlewood) defeated Deepak 3 (Steve Shaw 3) after extra time FT 3-3, HT 1-1.

Third Division Women Tanner Cup– Video Ezy University 3 ( Danielle Bartram, Christine Strawbridge 2) defeated Marist 1 (Helen Chibnall), HT 2-0

Fourth Division Men Rod Lawrence Cup– Te Awamutu B 5 (C Higham, J Lambert, T Waaka, M Scoble, S Davison) defeated Admor Promotions University 3 (Phil Basil 2, Malcolm Short), HT 2-2