 by Vaughan Hilton |
Premier Mens Intercity semi finals were one-sided high
scoring affairs |
1 August 2004. Premier Mens Intercity semi finals were one-sided high scoring affairs with 18 goals between them. In the ABN AMRO Craigs match of the day, top seeds Fraser Tech came out blazing with some inspired positional changes and played at pace from the outset. Any pre game planning by the Counties side Kohekohe was negated as the Tech forwards and halves interchanged positions constantly and raced to an early 3 nil lead. Utilising Richard Petherick at inside right and center half and star strike forward Grant Goile at right half, Joel Rickard scored a first half hat trick and Sandeep Puna two, with his second a sensational movement started by Goile from deep within his own half. Rob Crozier just managed to gain control of the long through ball that looked out of his reach and delightfully laid it back to the top of the circle for Puna to score. Puna completed his own hat trick in the second half and Rickard deflected in another Petherick pass to complete the scoring for Tech. Allister Hancox scored two late consolation goals for Kohekohe. Our Tauranga Correspondent Bill Webb reported that Tauranga Old Boys earned a place in the final next week against Tech after downing previously unbeaten Ecolab Suburbs Piako 6-3 at Mt Maunagnui. TOB gained ascendancy in the second spell after the teams were locked up 2 all at half time and 3 all early into the second spell. Defensive tackling errors lead to penalty corners which were effeciently converted. Matthew Stafford 3, Shaun Matthews 2, & Matthew Hayward scored for the home side whilst Johnny Forbes, Brian Winiata, and player coach Karlos Sanders converted for Suburbs. Hamilton Old Boys and University will play off for 5th and 6th after Old Boys beat hosts Rotorua Aces on strokes after the scores were locked up 4-4 at full time and Varsity downed Mt Maunganui 4-0 at the Gallagher Hockey Centre with Hayden Ripia, Te Rau Brown 2 and Wessels Eshuis scoring. Varsity led 1-0 at half time after a plucky first half effort by the visitors. Premier Women Te Awamutu and an understrength Bazuka Sports University looked headed for a nil all draw as inspired defensive work from an outstanding Mel Yule ably assisted by a hard working Kylie Morgan restricted Te Awamutu scoring chances. Stacey Brannigan kept the Te Awamutu defense on their toes but the experience of the intercity champions finally saw a rare chance converted by an ever present Sue Hill. In stark contrast to the early game, Intercity finalists Fraser Tech were well beaten by by a highly committed Southern United side. Jeanna Platt opened the scoring after only 30 seconds and remained a constant threat around the circle, eventually scoring 4 of her sides 5 goals with Shannon Dixon completing the rout. In other intercity games the Mens Reserve grade saw Robinsons Sports University edge out Eagles BOP in a thriller with the students clinching the game in the last seconds. University 6 (Sam Broadbent 2, Richard Graham 2 Simeon Houtman, Francis Radloff ) Eagles BOP 5 (P Edwards, D van den Berg 2, R Guest 2) |
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