20th April 2008

Fraser Tech women are now the only undefeated hockey team in this year’s Waikato Premier Men’s and Women’s Hockey competitions after comprehensively defeating previously unbeaten Avenue Storage University 6-2.
Although the students were significantly depleted due to University Games and V8 commitments, they stood up well in a torrid first half and opened the scoring through standout player Gemma Overmire’s PC conversion. Tech struck back almost immediately when Debbie Bell converted from a PC and took the half time advantage with a Frances Shaw deflection off a well timed Nicky Pearce pass. Shaw increased Tech’s lead with an excellent solo effort but Overmire kept her 10 man side in the game with a well constructed goal. Bell scored a second half hat trick with two well taken snap shots and one off balance diving reverse to complete the scoring.

Te Awamutu returned to winning ways with a more impressive display against Valley United Women running out 4-0 victors. Kit Rutherford showed excellent appreciation of the advantage laws for Natalie Smith to open the scoring. Jacki Forsythe and Courtney Fox added field goals to all but snuff Valley resistance by half time.
The visitors showed more resolve in the second half and contained Te Awamutu to a sole Jenna Terlesk goal.

The men’s side of the competition remains tightly contested with The Cook University securing a valuable 3 points against Fraser Tech with a flattering 3-1 win. Tech were guilty of squandering early valuable opportunities to score but eventually went ahead through Tyler Edwards. Varsity struck back with a well worked team goal finished off by Mike Hill and Raynesh Smith gave them a 2-1 half time lead when converting from some excellent build up play by Tony Hopping and Sandeep Puna. The second half remained a game of missed opportunities but eventually Varsity’s Craig Hardman found a way past resilient Tech keeper Robin Sawyer with a low drag flicked PC conversion.

The Riv Suburbs and Valley United men shared the honours in a tense struggle. Mark Scrampton snuck behind some sloppy Suburbs defence to open the scoring with a simple tap in an otherwise scoreless first half. Suburbs Ben Te Whare gained parity with a skilful reverse shot and standout player Tenga Rangitauira gave Suburbs the lead when reacting quickest in a goalmouth melee during a PC.
Lloyd Stephenson earned his Valley side a deserved point with a late field goal.