Sue Gregory Reports...

25th June 2008

Still plagued by winter illness, a depleted Waikato U18 team met their match on Sunday in a rain-affected game against North Harbour U18 at Gallagher Hockey Centre.

Previously unbeaten, Waikato started strongly which was pleasing for coaches Aaron Barnsdall and Truman Wee after previous matches had seen Waikato trailing through opposition goals scored early on.

North Harbour, also previously unbeaten, was unsettled by Waikato's strong defensive combination of Ryan Brewer and Josh Hodgson. Confident, controlled and assertive on both attack and defence this allowed Waikato's midfield players to disrupt North Harbour's midfield and forward movements in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Waikato strikers took advantage of balls moved quickly from defence to attack with an early Waikato goal disallowed. Chris Harding once again showed dogged determination on defence earning Waikato several key turnovers.

As the game progressed Harbour settled to their task. Waikato captain Tom Lysaght showed his class in saving several well-worked Harbour PCs. Changes in Waikato's defence allowed the Harbour forwards more space and time on attack and despite some outstanding goal keeping from Lysaght, Harbour scored twice. Waikato rallied with Felix Wild scoring a fine reverse shot from the top of the circle; however this goal too was disallowed. Waikato dug deep and finished the half strongly trailing by 2 - 0.

Harbour started the second half well with an all-out assault resulting in 2 further goals on the scoreboard. As the rain fell and the turf flooded it was hard for either team to play good hockey but Harbour adjusted quicker to the conditions than Waikato by shortening their game to good effect.

Harbour dominated the second half allowing the Waikato forwards little of the ball as they shut down the Waikato’s midfield. Harbour scored once more before the game was eventually abandoned in heavy rain.

Final score 5-0 to North Harbour. All afternoon representative matches were cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Despite the loss, Waikato will take many positives from the game. Whilst winning at tri-series provides a welcome confidence boost, it is winning at Tournament that counts. At times this Waikato side have shown they have the ability to play hockey good enough to match the likes of Auckland and North Harbour....... their challenge is to produce 70 minutes of such hockey.

Sue Gregory
Team Manager