Watching the Boys U18's and U15's National Hockey Tournaments held a sense of deja vu for me. Waikato U18's - clearly top 4 material lost a game to Wairarapa 2-4 and needed to win against arch rivals North Harbour in the last pool game to make the top 8.

Waikato turned on the game of the tourney with a gutsy 4-6 loss to possibly the best side at the U18's. Trailing 5-2 and needing to win - Waikato pegged 2 goals back to leave the game in the balance at 4-5. Total attack to secure the all important win saw a late Harbour goal and snuffed out any chance of a Waikato tourny win. Harbour lost their semi final on strokes to eventual winners Canterbury who easily beat Auckland 4-1 in the final. Waikato's 10th placing belied their ability in a tournament of lost opportunities.

At the U15's, the Jon Tanner coached side also lost a vital match
against Wairarapa and needed to defeat both North Harbour & Auckland
in pool play to make the top 8. Waikato should have been awarded an
early goal to the promising Stuart Pitu when his pass from within the
circle was deflected into the Harbour goal. The umpire incorrectly awarded a long corner but the U15's were rewarded with a goal shortly after as Ronnie Bird touched in to take a 1-0 lead. North Harbour ground their way back into the game to score twice and snuff out Waikato's top 8 aspirations.

In their best match of the pool section Waikato smashed eventual joint
winners Auckland 5-2 but like the U18's finished a dissapointing 10th.
Wellington shared the trophy with Auckland after a tense but exciting final.
Auckland took the early lead but Wellington gained momentum and led 2-1 with only a few minutes to go before a late deflection enabled Auckland to secure a share of the spoils.

 Saturdays Senior Photos - Fraser vs Varsity

Richard Petherick and Wes Eshuis stuck to each other
like glue in Saturday's senior clash.


Dean Armstrong closes down Sandeep Puna in his first shot on goal. Shot two hit the back of the net.