NHL Promotion-Relegation:
Friday: Northland 4 (T Smith, C Igason,2, J McQueen) v Waikato 0
Saturday: Northland 5 (M Ackers 3, J Clarke, D Cheeseman) v Waikato 0
30 photos of days play
Friday: Northland 4 (T Smith, C Igason,2, J McQueen) v Waikato 0
Saturday: Northland 5 (M Ackers 3, J Clarke, D Cheeseman) v Waikato 0
30 photos of days play
Waikato capitulated from the National Womens Hockey League at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in the weekend, when Northland won the first two games of the best of three promotion-relegation series 4-0 and 5-0 respectively.
It was obvious from the first half on Friday night that Waikato’s stay in the National League was under threat as they struggled to maintain possession, and within the space of a few minutes Northland went to a 2-0 advantage as a result of penalty corners from former Fraser Tech player Toni Smith, and former North Harbour representative Connie Igason. After twenty minutes efficient passing among the Northland players found Joanne McQueen who beat some rather insignificant defence to bring about a 3-0 halftime lead for the challengers. Throughout the first half Kylie Morgan was playing a lone hand as she tried relentlessly to break through an impregnable Northland defence led by former New Zealand Captain Sandy Bennett. However unfortunately for Waikato, Morgan had no support so the Northlanders were able to regain possession easily.
Waikato came out with more resolve in the second half, but could make nothing of the many opportunities that were created, including five unconverted penalty corners. The final nail was put in the coffin when Igason slammed in her second penalty corner.
It was Morgan again who shone as a much improved Waikato took the Saturday game to Northland, but in this game Bryonie Hutchinson gave sound support and the Northland circle had to face much more pressure. McQueen featured in a strong counter attack for Northland and this was kept out by Waikato keeper Candy Hart who throughout the game was able to clear for many attacks to be set up but the work rate of Northland’s Toni Mason, Bennett and Keri Linklater was able to nullify the attacks. It became quite frustrating for Waikato and it was becoming a weekend of lost opportunities, and the frustration continued as a penalty corner from Hutchinson went over the top of the net, and after Morgan scythed through the Northland defence Waikato’s hopes again were dashed as her shot went wide. With two minutes to go until halftime Melanie Ackers latched on to a strong shot to score the only goal of the half.
Waikato started the second half with an unsuccessful penalty corner, and from that point it was all Northland as Ackers wended her way through some feeble defence to score her second. The remaining goals were added by Jane Clarke, Ackers again and then Dene Cheeseman, who completed Waikato’s horror weekend.
New Waikato Coach, Justine Allen, said of the two games that she was pleased with the second half in the first game and the first half of the second game, saying her team competed well in those spells, but lamented the poor finishing when opportunities were created. Northland Coach Vicky Gribble attributed their success to the solid defence of Mason, Bennett and Linklater. Gribble said her big advantage was the fact she was able to retain many players to enable her to form a base over the four years that she has had the team. Waikato can now continue to develop Morgan as a front line player, and use the experience of Nicky Pearce, Hutchinson, and others to refocus after this weekends disappointment, and they should still be optimistic for a high placing in September’s National Tournament to be held in Oamaru and Timaru.