In the last round of matches before the semi-finals of the Midlands Intercity hockey championship, there were some entertaining games, including a ‘game of two halves’ involving Mt Maunganui women. The Mount were depleted by the absence of valuable players Abbie Johnston and Samantha Savory due to injuries. However they started well against Fraser Tech, scoring early through Greer Golding and led 2-1 at the half-time break. The first four minutes of the second half were the undoing of Mt Maunganui; the Hamilton visitors moved up a gear, scoring four goals in rapid succession. Mt Maunganui players’ heads dropped, and Fraser Tech pushed ahead to dominate the rest of the game, running out comfortable winners by 7-2, with captain Kate Kernaghan accounting for four of their tally. Bethany Millar worked hard for Mt Maunganui.

At Hamilton, Otumoetai women ran away with their match with Suburbs, leading 3-2 at the break, and being victorious 6-3. Dani Maunder and Nikki Furmage each scored two for the winners.

The women’s championship semi-finals next week will feature Mt Maunganui playing Waikato University, and Fraser Tech against Rotorua Aces.

Meanwhile in the battle for the Women’s Plate, a depleted Katikati fought out a 1-1 draw with Marist at Rotorua.

Neither of the Tauranga clubs qualified for the Men’s Championship round, so they have been battling for the Men’s Plate. Tauranga Old Boys hosted Onewhero at the Tauranga Hockey Centre, and quickly moved to lead 3-0, with goals from Abir Mukherjee, Jade Eriksen and captain Sam Bonney. The visitors from Counties scored the only goal of the second half, resulting in a 3-1 win to Old Boys.  Otumoetai men had the bye on Saturday, but have accumulated sufficient points to make the Plate semi-finals next week. 

In the men’s Championship, Waikato University defeated Kohekohe 5-2, while Hamilton Old Boys downed Collegians 3-0. By coincidence, the same teams will meet in the semi-finals for the men’s cup next week. The Midlands Intercity finals will be held at Pukekohe on 12 August.

RESULTS   

Women’s Championship
Pool A:

Fraser Tech 7 Mt Maunganui 2, HT 1-2; Otumoetai 6 Suburbs 3, HT 3-2.
Points: Fraser Tech 9, Mt Maunganui 6, Otumoetai 3, Suburbs 0.

Pool B:
Te Awamutu 3 Hamilton Old Girls 1; Waikato University 0 Rotorua Aces 0.
Points: University 7, Aces 4, Hamilton Old Girls 3, Te Awamutu 3.

Women’s Plate:
Katikati 1 Marist 1, HT 1-0.

Men’s Championship
Fraser Tech 3 Pukekohe Indians 3; Hamilton Old Boys 3 Collegians 0; Waikato University 5 Kohekohe 2; Te Awamutu 4 BOP Indians 3, HT 4-1.

Points: University 18, Hamilton Old Boys 16, Collegians 13, Kohekohe 13, Te Awamutu 9, Pukekohe Indians 5, Fraser Tech 4, BOP Indians 3.

Men’s Plate
Rotorua Aces 4 Waiau Pa 3; Suburbs 6 Thames Valley 4; Tauranga Old Boys 3 Onewhero-Pukekohe 1, HT 3-0; Otumoetai the bye.

-Bill Webb, Media Liaison Officer