30th June 2008

Valley United signalled a warning to other Intercity Premier Men’s teams that they have the makings of title contenders after an emphatic 6-0 drubbing of Fraser Tech over the weekend.
Lloyd Stephenson gave Valley an early lead converting from a PC breakdown but Valley failed to capitilise on their territorial dominance with some poor finishing. Valley came prepared for wet weather garbed in flippers and goggles (see picture) but luckily for the supporters the conditions held out allowing the visitors to put on their best all round effort of the season. Tech were equally inept in finishing off clear cut chances from fast break outs with the usually reliable Darren Luckin putting one chance at an open goal wide after doing well in rounding the keeper. Todd Bell scored back-to-back field goals right on the stroke of half time to give Valley a deserved 3 nil lead. Stephenson converted a penalty stroke to open the second half scoring as Valley continued to display quality control and domination of the midfield possession. Nick Quinn and Jed Moriarty sealed the emphatic win with well-taken field goals.

Hamilton Old Boys and Pukekohe Indians entertained the crowd with a nine-goal thriller with Old Boys stealing the win in the last play of the game. Old Boys customary slow start saw Brad Carsons and Umesh Hari give Pukekohe a two-goal lead before Gareth Nuzum pegged one back through a drag flicked PC. Yogesh Hari opened the second half with a PC conversion and Brendon Harland immediately replied from the field to leave the sides evenly poised. Umesh Hari looked to have sealed the win when he gave his side a 4-2 lead with ten minutes to go but a hat trick of drag flicked PC conversions by Nuzum, the last of which was converted after the full time whistle, snatched an unlikely 5-4 win for Old Boys.

In the last locally played men’s game, in atrocious conditions previously unbeaten sides University CBD played the smarter wet weather hockey than Tauranga Old Boys prevailing 2 nil. Tim Ranchodbhai and Sam Broadbent converted excellent team goals in each half for the students. Hooper Cup champions The RIV Suburbs Piako were surprisingly held to a 2 all draw by Counties hosts Onewhero Pukekohe.

In women’s matches Otumoetai’s Tambra McGarvey continued her goal scoring form in converting twice to give her side the half time advantage over Fraser Tech. Tech put on a period of sustained pressure and eventually broke down the visitors defence when Debbie Bell converted a rare chance. The comeback was short lived with McGarvey immediately responding with a fast break out from the restart to seal the 3-1 win. Title favourites Storage King University were made to work hard for their 5-0 win over winless Te Awamutu and led 2 nil at half time. Lymarah Wharerau completed her hat trick as the students rattle in three second half goals.

For the Record
Men:
Kohekohe 2 beat Mt Maunganui 1, HT 0-0;
Riv Suburbs Piako 2 drew with Onewhero Pukekohe 2, HT 1-2;
Fraser Tech 0 lost to Valley United 6, HT 0-3,
Hamilton Old Boys 5 beat Pukekohe Indians 4, HT 1-2;
University CBD 2 beat Tauranga Old Boys 0, HT 1-0;
Papakura 6 beat Taupo 1, HT 2-0.

Women:
Rotorua Aces 5 beat Papakura 1, HT 2-0;
Storage King University 5 beat Te Awamutu 0, HT 2-0;
Fraser Tech 1 lost to Cosmopolitan Otumoetai 3, HT 0-2;
Onewhero-Pukekohe 4 beat Taupo 1, HT 4-0.