Varsity sides stumble in finals.

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9 May 2004

Ecolab Suburbs Piako and Te Awamutu took out the men's and women's hockey 1st round finals against Varsity on Saturday 3-0 and 3-2 respectively.

The Cook University took on Suburbs in the men's final missing key player Tenga Rangitauira but welcomed the return of centre half Tim Smith from injury. Both sides started tentatively, probing for openings that were in short supply. Suburbs opened the scoring when striker Jonny Forbes initial shot rebounded off the goal post only to fall behind a diving Dean Armstrong for Forbes to slot into an empty goal. Gaining momentum from their early lead, Suburbs harried the Varsity defense and only a superb reflex save from Armstrong prevented Brian Winiata from increasing that lead. Persistence paid off for Winiata, latching onto a sloppy defensive hit, he scored with a cracking first strike from the top of the circle. Suburbs thoroughly deserved their 2-0 halftime lead but Varsity supporters were still expecting a win. Buoyed by the calming influence of coach Carl Sanders, Suburbs continued to dominate possession and territory. Varsity tried to muscle their way back into the game and both sides were guilty of venting their frustration on the officials. Evergreen Suburbs centre half Jeff Rosemergy and sweeper Ian Haste showed maturity in their option taking and were ably supported by a tireless Auke Idema. Up front Winiata, Forbes and BJ Watling continued to worry the Varsity defense with creative leading and were duly rewarded when Watling ran another great line to open a hole for Winiata to complete the scoring. Given that Sanders had an empty bench, the win was never a certainty. His charges gave him a committed full 70 minutes effort and prevailed deserved winners on the day.

Last years Intercity winners Te Awamutu were looking to avenge their 1-3 opening game loss to Bazuka Sports University when the two teams met in the Premier Women's first round final. Te Awamutu took the early lead through a PC conversion with several players possible scorers with Michele Whitehead claiming the goal. Stacey Brannigan neutralized the lead finished off a scything run up the right flank and the teams traded periods of sustained pressure. Although missing the hard working sweeper Kath Drew, Te Awamutus defense absorbed everything Varsity threw at them and slowly Te Awamutu gained dominance. Each time Varsity appeared to gain momentum ex NZ rep Robyn Matthews at centre half and Rachel Falconer at sweeper stamped their class on the game to regain control for Te Awamutu. With the teams locked up 1-1 at half time, Te Awamutu's territorial dominance was rewarded when goal scoring machine Maria Dunn, coolly reverse swept her shot passed the Varsity defense. The students bravely fought their way back into the game with Clarissa Eshuis, Brannigan and Mel Yule all severely testing a resolute Te Awamutu defense. Yule finally found a way through to lock up the scores and give the nervous crowd an anxious last quarter. Matthews converted a late PC to give Te Awamutu a hard fought but deserving 3-2 victory.

In earlier games for 5th and 6th, Bradley's Bunch Te Awamutu B played Waikato U18's prevailing 3-0 in an uninspiring game. With several of the U18's also playing in the final later in the day, Coach Betty Dellaway was justifiably disappointed with the commitment of her young charges. Bradley's Bunch maintained possession and were hungrier for the win while the U18's all too often rushed passes and lacked accuracy and penetration. Janelle Abbott scoring a double and a hard working Mel Gunderson, was rewarded for her tireless effort in rounding off the scoring.