RESULTS: -Men's Intercity 'A' Division:
Suburbs-Piako 1 (B. Sanders) v Eastside University 0;
Old Boys 4 (A. Singers 2, T. Schofield, W. Deverson) v Pukekohe Indians 2(S. Patel 2);
Fraser Tech 3 (A. Puna 2, L. Hammond) v Otumoetai 2 (C. Snee, P.Salmon);Mount Maunganui 5 v Kohekohe 1.
Women 'A' Division:
Old Girls 2 (R. Saunders, J. McQuinn) v Fraser Tech 1 (A. Williams);
Rose and Thorn Te Awamutu 6 v Onewhero Pukekohe 1;
Tokoroa 1 v Eastside University 1;
Mount Maunganui 4 v Aces 2.
Suburbs-Piako 1 (B. Sanders) v Eastside University 0;
Old Boys 4 (A. Singers 2, T. Schofield, W. Deverson) v Pukekohe Indians 2(S. Patel 2);
Fraser Tech 3 (A. Puna 2, L. Hammond) v Otumoetai 2 (C. Snee, P.Salmon);Mount Maunganui 5 v Kohekohe 1.
Women 'A' Division:
Old Girls 2 (R. Saunders, J. McQuinn) v Fraser Tech 1 (A. Williams);
Rose and Thorn Te Awamutu 6 v Onewhero Pukekohe 1;
Tokoroa 1 v Eastside University 1;
Mount Maunganui 4 v Aces 2.
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Both front runners in the Men's and Women's Intercity Hockey Competition tasted defeat for the first time this season at Gallagher Hockey Centre on Saturday. In the Men's competition a Brett Sanders goal in the first half was sufficient to give Suburbs-Piako a 1-0 win over Eastside University, and in the Women's competition Old Girls beat Boots 'n' All Fraser Tech 2-1 after a scoreless first half. At the completion of the first round University Men will still stay at the top of the table, while Old Girls have displaced Fraser Tech at the top of their table on goal average.
In other Women's fixtures Rose and Thorn Te Awamutu were too strong for visitors, Onewhero Pukekohe in winning 6-1, and Tokoroa and Realmedia University drew 1-1. At the Mount, Mount Maunganui beat Aces 4-2. Other Men's matches saw Old Boys beat Pukekohe Indians 4-2, after playing the second half with ten players, while Fraser Tech buoyed by the return of recent international Alpesh Puna beat Otumoetai 3-2 at the Mount with Puna scoring twice. In Pukekohe Mount Maunganui beat Kohekohe 5- 1.
The National Under 18 Tournament robbed the main match of some character when Old Girls and Fraser Tech shaped up against each other, and both teams went through various attacking stages in search of an early ascendancy. Fraser Tech threatened at a penalty corner, when after the first shot they attacked the goal relentlessly but Old Girls goalkeeper Sheryl Lacy was in great form and was able to make some great saves in the face of potential adversity. As the half wore on both teams continued to pressurise the opposing defence, but were unable to penetrate the circle sufficiently to cause any concerns. Before the interval Old Girls applied pressure to the Tech defence, and forced a penalty corner from where Katrina Carson was just wide with her shot.
Fraser Tech launched more attacks early in the second spell but with Lacy in great form Old Girls were able to clear. Old Girls came back after absorbing a lot of pressure, but Tech goal keeper Candy Hart was also strong in her saves to frustrate the Old Girls forwards. Rachel Saunders however came back at a penalty corner to slot the goal and open the scoring for Old Girls. Old Girls began to consolidate for a time, and after dominating Jess McQuinn increased the lead. Robyn Matthews was trying to rally the Tech forces but Old Girls were showing the determination needed to preserve their lead, but Tech raised a few concerns in the Old Girls camp when after splitting the defence Angela Williams scored for Tech to reduce the deficit. Tech began to string some passes together, and with Nicky Pearce managing to put some strong balls through, Old Girls were pushed at times to keep Tech out. However Old Girls regained their composure and Tech didn't do enough to preserve their unbeaten record. The innovation of the two round competition has renewed the interest of hockey people this season, and Fraser Tech will be keen to avenge the defeat when they meet Old Girls again in the second round.
RESULTS:
Intercity Men 'A' Division:
Suburbs-Piako 1 (B. Sanders) v Eastside University 0;
Old Boys 4 (A. Singers 2, T. Schofield, W. Deverson) v Pukekohe Indians 2(S. Patel 2);
Fraser Tech 3 (A. Puna 2, L. Hammond) v Otumoetai 2 (C. Snee, P.Salmon);Mount Maunganui 5 v Kohekohe 1.
Women 'A' Division:
Old Girls 2 (R. Saunders, J. McQuinn) v Fraser Tech 1 (A. Williams);
Rose and Thorn Te Awamutu 6 v Onewhero Pukekohe 1;
Tokoroa 1 v Eastside University 1;
Mount Maunganui 4 v Aces 2.