MIDLANDS INTERCITY HOCKEY LEAGUE
Match Reviews Index:
Week 1
22 April 2017
Week 2
29 April 2017
Week 3
6 May 2017
Week 1 – 22 April 2017 –
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Ecolab Te Awamutu, Fraser Tech, and Otumoetai all posted comfortable opening round wins in
the Midlands Intercity Men’s hockey games played over the weekend. With this year’s playing
format using the four quarters played at International level it may take a little while for players
and coaches to adapt. Playing in Hamilton, Te Awamutu’s MVP Ben Coxhead gave his side the
perfect start after good inter passing by the Te Awamutu midfield with two polished finishes.
The visitors briefly reduced the lead through Blake Kayes McDod just before the half time
break but Jacob Soon Choon restored the advantage from a PC just minutes later. Coxhead
opened the second half as he did in the first to complete a hat trick and the win looked sealed
when Soon Choon added a field goal a minute later. Te Awamutu rested on their lead for the
most part of the third quarter but sparked back into life after Michail Marthe added a second
field goal for Onewhero-Pukekohe with Soon Choon completing his hat trick from another PC
to close out the quarter. In a more disciplined final quarter Te Awamutu’s Ryan McLachlan with
a PC conversion and Dane Vickers from the field both converted to seal an emphatic 8-2
victory. Te Awamutu’s other standouts were Shaun Hazelton and Auke Idema with both having
solid games. In the other matches played in Hamilton BOP Indians continued last year’s
improvement with a hard fought share of the points in a 3-3 draw with Storage King University.
The visitors MVP HP Singh scored in each of the opening quarters through a field goal and a PC
conversion but Black Stick Matt Rees-Gibbs kept University in the contest with a well taken
field goal to close out the half. The visitors showed great resolve in defence with Keeper PW
Singh prominent to maintain their 2-1 advantage throughout a scoreless third quarter. ReesGibbs levelled the scores in the opening minutes of the final quarter with another deft finish
and a PC conversion to Stephen Atkinson gave the local side the lead albeit briefly. A penalty
stroke converted by Nirwar Singh locked the scores up a minute later with ten minutes left.
Varsity pushed hard for the win but had to settle for the draw with Captain Tony Hopping left
rueing his side’s failure to convert chances. In the final match played at Gallagher Hockey
Centre, first round local champions and newly formed club Craig’s Investment Partners
Collegians, (effectively St Paul’s Collegiate Old Boys) were expected to dominate Suburbs-Piako
and looked on track for a big win when controlling play in the opening stanza. Without regular
goal tender Dean Armstrong, who was away playing for NZ in the Masters games, stand in
rookie keeper Brett Saunders made two very good early saves to thwart the Collegians for
most of the first quarter but two field goals late in the quarter to Trent Davis and Richie Bloor
rewarded Collegians for their territorial dominance. The lead was increased with a humorous
Penalty stroke conversion which saw Collegians goal tender and MVP Andrew Lock step
forward to convert with a dribbly low push just out of the reach of Saunders. Suburbs came out
fired up after the half time break and closed the gap through a field goal to Aidan Higby and a
PC conversion to Brad Coxon. Collegians Tim Smith celebrated his return back to the Waikato
with a PC conversion to temper Suburbs fight back but a late PC strike to Coxon was not
enough to share the points with Collegians prevailing 4-3. Jamie Brewer and Craig Hardman
also stood out for Collegians with Ryan Brewer and Tom Gilby-Todd shining for Suburbs. Played
in Rotorua Fraser Tech’s Alec Wilson ensured an emphatic first up victory scoring five PC
conversions of his sides six goals when posting a 6-2 win over top 8 aspirants Aces. After
leading by four with Wilson completing a hat trick and Lewis Smith converting from the field
Aces struck back with a penalty stroke slotted by Hoete Mitai-Ngatai and a field goal to Chavez
Rahurahu but the efficiency of Wilson at the set piece adding a further brace proved too much.
In Pukekohe, top 8 contenders Kohekohe and Pukekohe Indians shared the points with a nil all
draw and local side Waiau Pirates prevailed 2-1 over Tauranga Old Boys in a tight contest.
Bayley’s Otumoetai showed title contender form in downing hosts Thames Valley in Ngatea.
In Women’s matches played in Hamilton, Ecolab Te Awamutu and Mount Maunganui slugged
out a 3-3 draw. Te Awamutu struggled to penetrate early but raced out to a handy three goal
advantage with Luisa Balsom, Oriwa Hepi, and Nhahuia Muru all converting. The class of the
Mounts Abbie Johnston shone through as the game wore on as she converted a hat trick with
two PC’s and a field goal to ensure a share of the points for last year’s semi-finalists. Suburbs
women made Hamilton Old Girls work hard in the opening exchanges but Old Girls struck a
double blow late in the first quarter the first a clinically finished strike to Kelly Rowlingson and
then two minutes later deft finishing by Kirsty Laurence saw the game swing markedly in
favour of Old Girls. A PC conversion to Toni Vickers midway through the second quarter sealed
the 3-0 win but Suburbs kept trying to breach the defenders of Old Girls throughout and a
standout display by Old Girls MVP Anita Hope in goal ensured the victory. In Pukekohe hosting
newcomers to Intercity Waiau Pa Barbarians made last year’s semi-finalists Katikati Cougars
work extremely hard in a seesawing contest. Katikati raced to an early three goal advantage
with a brace of PC conversions to Katie Horan and a field goal to Franki Taini but the local side
bounced back to lead 5-3 by the start of the last quarter. A penalty stroke converted by Caitlyn
Delrimple-Wilson sparked the fight back as she went on to complete her hat trick with a brace
of field goals bracketing a quick fire double to Grace Chalmers and Melanie Edwards. Traini
converted her second and Horan completed her hat trick with a PC strike to ensure a share of
the points in an entertaining 5 all draw. In Tauranga, perennial title contenders Otumoetai
started off their campaign in stylish fashion in downing Rotorua side Marist 5-1. In Rotorua, Be
Active Fitness University continued their early season form to down an always tough Aces unit
3-1. Goals to Siobhan Nuzem, Gemma Aston and Ellie McCleery were countered by a Stacey
MacDonald conversion. Last year’s champions Valley have been depleted of several top flight
players and sadly defaulted their fixture to Fraser Tech.
Vaughan Hilton
Results Week 1
Men's Pool A : Ecolab Te Awamutu 8 (Ben Coxhead 3, Jacob Soo Choon 3, Ryan McLachlan, Dane Vickers) defeated OnewheroPukekohe 2 (Blake Kayes McDod, Michail Marthe), HT 3-1; Kohekohe 0 drew with Pukekohe Indians 0, Bayleys Otumoetai 7
(Jonno Simmonds 3, C Garner, H Bruin, J Sutherland, C Bruin) defeated Thames Valley 2 (Leon Vanden Heuvel, Thomas
Haywood), HT 1-1; Hamilton Old Boys a bye
Men’s Pool B: Waiau Pa Pirates 2 (Phil Hook, ??) defeated Tauranga Old Boys 1 (Garth Beaumont), HT 1-1; Storage King
University 3 (Matt Rees-Gibbs 2, Stephen Atkinson) drew with BOP Indians 3 (HP Singh 2, Nirwar Singh), HT 1-2; Fraser Tech 6
(Alec Wilson 5, Lewis Smith) defeated Aces 2 (Hoete Mitai-Ngatai, Chavez Rahurahu); Collegians 4 (Trent Davis, Richie Bloor,
Andrew Lock, Tim Smith) defeated Suburbs 3 (Brad Coxon 2, Aidan Higby)
Women's :Be Active Fitness University 3 (Siobhan Nuzem, Gemma Aston, Ellie McCleery) defeated Rotorua Aces 1 (Stacey
MacDonald); Hamilton Old Girls 3 (Kelly Rowlingson, Kirsty Laurence, Toni Vickers) defeated Suburbs 0, HT 3-0; Katikati Cougars
5 (Katie Horan 3, Franki Traini 2) drew with Bayleys Waiau Pa Barbarians 5 (Caitlyn Delrimple-Wilson 3, Grace Chalmers, Melanie
Edwards), HT 3-1; Mt Maunganui 3 (Abbie Johnston 3) drew with Te Awamutu 3 (Luisa Balsom, Oriwa Hepi, Nhahuia Muru);
Otumoetai 5 (Rebecca Kirsten 2, Sara Hayward, Abby Furmage, Dani Maunder) defeated Marist 1 (Xanthe Sander),HT 1-1; Fraser
Tech 5 defeated Thames Valley 0 by default.
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________________________________________________________________
Week 2- 29 April 2017
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Waikato sides dominated week two of the Midland’s Intercity Hockey competition with some
big wins. Be Active Fitness University Women’s side posted the score of the day in downing the
depleted defending champion Thames Valley 20-0 in Hamilton. MVP Emma Hope led the rout
with six goals and Ellie McCleary nabbed five as the students scored consistently throughout
the match. They led by five at the first quarter break and added a further six before half time.
Claudia Squire netted a hat trick and both Maddie Tims and NZ Blackstick representative
Natasha Fitzsimon scoring a brace and Nicki Casey and Libby Clement rounding off the scorers.
Fraser Tech women were equally impressive in the earlier game played at Gallagher Hockey
Centre when subduing the challenge from perennial title contenders Otumoetai to post a
comfortable 6-0 victory. Tech scored all their goals from the field notching up a handy 3-0 lead
by half time through goals to Kim Tanner, Acacia Kelsen, & Kate Kernaghan. Kelsen, Emma
Andrews and Alia Jaques converted in the second half to complete the win. In a local derby,
Ecolab Te Awamutu women edged out Suburbs 3-2 in a closely fought contest. The sides
traded goals in the first half with Te Awamutu’s Katelyn Olsen’s 8th minute strike countered a
minute later by Suburbs Arna McLeod. Tyler Steer restored Te Awamutu’s lead midway
through the second half but Suburbs again responded with a Kristen Goodwin goal. Ngahuia
Muru sealed the win minutes later with Te Awamutu holding off a late challenge for their first
win. In Pukekohe, Waiau Pa Bayleys Barbarians posted their second successive high scoring
draw with a 4-4 result against Rotorua Aces. In Rotorua, Hamilton Old Girls made it two wins in
a row to sit alongside Tech and University at the top of the table with a comfortable 4-1 win
over Marist and in Tauranga Mount Maunganui and Katikati Cougars found scoring difficult
sharing the points with a 0-0 draw.
In Men’s matches Craigs Investment Partners Collegians were made to work hard to break
down a compact Rotorua Aces defence but broke the game open with back to back goals to
Dan Scanlon and Maks Wyndham-Smith in the second quarter followed up with a brace either
side of half time to Arthur Rasmussen. Felix Rolls converted a PC and Scanlon added his second
to stretch the lead to six. Aces standout Tenga Rangitauira was well rewarded in pegging a goal
back for the visitors, but Collegians responded with Alex Goron and Jamie Brewer rounding out
a deserved 8-1 victory to top pool B. Ecolab Te Awamutu top Pool A with a comfortable 5-0 win
over Kohekohe. Tai Wihare and Estian Hattingh converted first half chances to grab the
initiative for the home side. Ben Coxhead again was prominent and was rewarded when
finishing off a slick passing move and Ryan McLachlan sealed the win with a late brace. In the
only men’s local derby match, Storage King University showed more purpose on attack than
last week and led 2-0 with Matt Rees-Gibbs and Simon Kay converting. The students grabbed a
handy 3-0 advantage on the stroke of half time with Fletcher Coutts converting from the field
but Fraser Tech struck back immediately when Hamish Bennet-Brown scored from the last play
of the half. Tech came out strong in the second half to force a few penalty corners but
University’s goaltender and man of the match Taz Nicholson remained rock solid throughout
pulling off a couple of stunning glove saves to thwart the Tech set piece. The 3-1 win keeps the
students second behind Collegians in Pool B. BOP Indians showed last week’s draw against
University was well deserved and joined the students in second place in the pool after a
comfortable 4-0 win when hosting Tauranga Old Boy’s in Rotorua. Defending Champions
Hamilton Old Boys opened their Intercity campaign in fine style when routing Thames Valley 90 in Ngatea. Ricky Hayward and Garrick du Toit both secured hat tricks with Zane Anderson, Te
Hiraka Chase, and Tim Neild also converting. Suburbs led 3-2 against Waiau Pa Pirates when
the game was called off at the commencement of the third quarter. The match result will be
advised after the review committee decide.
Vaughan Hilton
Men's Pool A: Ecolab Te Awamutu 5 (Tai Wihare, Estian Hattingh, Ben Coxhead, Ryan McLachlan 2) defeated Kohekohe 0, HT 20; Pukekohe Indians 2 drew with Bayleys Otumoetai 2; Aber Hamilton Old Boys 9 (Ricky Hayward 3, Garrick du Toit 3, Zane
Anderson, Te Hiraka Chase, Tim Neild) defeated Thames Valley 0, HT 4-0; Onewhero-Pukekohe a bye.
Men's Pool B: Craigs Investment Partners Collegians 8 (Daniel Scanlon 2, Maks Wyndham-Smith, Arthur Rasmussen 2, Felix Rolls,
Alex Goron, Jamie Brewer) defeated Rotorua Aces 1 (Tenga Rangitauira), HT 3-0; Storage King University 3 (Matt Rees-Gibbs,
Simon Kay, Fletcher Coutts) defeated Fraser Tech 1 (Hamish Bennet-Brown), HT 3-1; BOP Indians 4 (G Singh 2, N Singh 2)
defeated Tauranga Old Boys 0; Suburbs 3 (Aaron Barnsdall, Michael Scanlon, Liam Brake) met Waiau Pa Pirates 2 - match
abandoned after 56 minutes therefore a 0-0 draw.
Women's: Fraser Tech 6 (Kim Tanner, Acacia Kelsen 2, Kate Kernaghan, Emma Andrews, Alia Jaques) defeated Otumoetai 0, HT
3-0; Ecolab Te Awamutu 3 (Katelyn Olsen, Tyler Steer, Ngahuia Muru) defeated Suburbs 2 (Arna McLeod, Kristen Goodwin), HT
1-1; Be Active Fitness University 20 (Ellie McCleary 5, Claudia Squire 3, Natasha Fitzsimon 2, Emma Hope 6, Maddy Tims 2, Nicki
Casey, Libby Clement) defeated Thames Valley 0, HT 11-0; Waiau Pa Bayleys Barbarians 4 (Caitlyn Dalrymple-Smith, Leah ArthurWolsop 2, Melanie Edwards) drew with Rotorua Aces 4 (Hannah Keaney, 3 others?? ); Hamilton Old Girls 4 ( Rachelle Spence,
Toni Vickers, Susan Johnson, Katie Russell) defeated Marist 1 (Xante Sando); CMS Mount Maunganui 0 drew with Katikati
Cougars 0.
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Week 3- 29 April 2017
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At Gallagher Hockey Centre Hamilton, Be Active Fitness University Women although slightly
depleted with players involved in the National U21 matches, continued their rich vein of goal
scoring form when downing Waiau Pa Bayley’s Barbarians 11-0. Intercity leading goal scorers
Emma Hope and Ellie McCleary both converted twice while Brodie Muscamp and Siobhan
Nuzum also converted braces. The students led by three after the first quarter and seven by
the half time break before converting twice in each of the final quarters with Maddie Tims and
Claudia Squire rounding off a good day in front of goal. In the only other women’s match
played in Hamilton, Fraser Tech outlasted Hamilton Old Girls with only six of their regular first
team line-up to take maximum points and remain top of the table with a 2-1 win. Tech’s
Morgan Clayton opened the scoring with a first quarter PC conversion but Tech struggled to
make further inroads until the final quarter with another set piece conversion this time to
Emma Andrews. Old Girls remained competitive and were finally rewarded when a long ball
found Hannah Cashell unmarked at the top of the circle to slickly slot past the keeper for a late
consolation. Mount Maunganui and Rotorua Aces played out a tense match in Tauranga with
Aces opening the scoring of each of the first half quarters through Parekura Rangitauira and
Aroha Thompson countered by strikes to the Mount’s Abbie Johnston and Alana Lloyd. Bill
Webb reported that “the Mount women opened a 4-2 lead over Aces in the third quarter then
their coach Narayan Singh substituted some of his bench and Aces kept fighting but were
unable to overhaul the Mount. Greer Golding’s second half hat-trick was a vital ingredient in
Mt Maunganui’s eventual 5-4 victory”. Also played in Tauranga Katikati Cougars came out firing
in the first quarter with goals to Tayla Sweeney and Magdalena Hermida. Suburbs struck back
just before half time through a Anataia Brown conversion but neither side could add to their
first half strikes for Katikati’s first win after two draws. Otumoetai bounced back from last
week’s loss to secure a resounding 9-0 win when hosted by Thames Valeey in Ngatea. They
raced out to a 7-0 half-time lead with Deanna Shaw, Melia Eades, and Sarah Hayward each
bagging two and Anna Brunning, Danni Maunder, and Nikki Furmage completing the rout. Te
Awamutu also stayed in touch of the table leaders with a comfortable 3-0 victory against
Marist in Rotorua with Katelyn Olsen, Taletha Holt, and Tyler Steel all scoring.
In Men’s Pool A games, played in Hamilton, Ecolab Te Awamutu and Otumoetai both fielded
understrength sides due to U21 commitments. Te Awamutu, who had only 6 of their first string
side available snatched the early impetus with three first half field goals to Ben Coxhead, Dane
Vickers, and Patrick Wilson. The visitors stormed back with a vengeance to score either side of
the break, the first through a PC to Jonno Simmonds and then Hayden Bruin from the field. The
hosts looked to have sealed an unlikely win when Coxhead added his second but due to some
excellent advantage played by International Umpire Lani Jackman, Cory Bruin slotted after a
goalmouth melee and with time running out Otumoetai MVP Brad McKenzie showed poise in
front of goal to secure a share of the points in a thrilling 4 all draw. The draw kept Te Awamutu
on top of the table with Otumoetai 2 points back on third. 2nd placed Hamilton Old Boys were
made to work hard for maximum points in downing hosts Pukekohe Indians 5-3. A hat trick to
Ricky Hayward proving the difference as both sides were locked 2-2 at the break. Tim Neild
opened with a penalty stroke and then Hayward converting from the field were countered by
Wade Somani and Myles Fong for Pukekohe Indians. Hayward opened and closed the second
half scoring with Old Boy’s Gareth Nuzum and Jacob Sohota trading goals in between. In a local
derby Kohekohe outscored Onewhero-Pukekohe 5-2 but trailed early when Onehero-Pukekohe
opened with a field goal to Logan Dromgool. Kohekohe stormed back with 5 unanswered goals
before Ryan Eccles added a second for OPHC.
In Men’s Pool B matches, Craig’s Investment Partners Collegians remain top of the pool
securing their third straight win with a comprehensive 7-0 win over Waiau Pa in Hamilton.
Arthur Rasmussen secured a hat trick with Jason Coventry, Darryl Morris, Alex Grey, and Craig
Hardman also converting. Storage King University remain second after a torrid 3-1 win against
a competitive Ace’s unit. Aces will rue missed opportunities as will the students as both sides
failed to convert half chances. University’s Fletcher Coutts grabbed a brace of 2nd quarter field
goals. Keegan Payne added a third field goal before standout Aces striker Hoete Mitai-Ngatai
reduced the deficit late in the game. BOP Indians also remain near the top of the table when
defeating Suburbs 2-0 in Rotorua. Fraser Tech led 2-0 against Tauranga Old Boys in the opening
five minutes with an Alec Wilson drag flick and a Kendall Nolan field goal a minute later but lost
the talented Wilson to a hamstring injury early in the second half. Playing with only ten men
Tech did well to hold on for a narrow 2-1 win with Old Boys captain Sam Bonney converting the
only scoring action of the second half.
Vaughan Hilton
Midlands Intercity Results Week 3
Men's Pool A:Ecolab Te Awamutu 4 (Ben Coxhead 2, Dane Vickers, Patrick Wilson) drew with Bayleys Otumoetai 4 (Jono
Simmonds, Hayden Bruin, Cory Bruin, Brad McKenzie), HT 3-1; Aber Hamilton Old Boys 5 (Ricky Hayward 3, Tim Neild, Gareth
Nuzum) beat Pukekohe Indians 3 (Wade Somani, Myles Fong, Jacob Sohota), HT 2-2; Kohekohe 5 beat Onewhero-Pukekohe 2;
Thames Valley a bye; Points: Te Awamutu 7, Old Boys 6*, Otumoetai 5, Kohekohe 4, Pukekohe Indians 2, Onewhero-Pukekohe
0*, Thames Valley 0* (* denotes game in hand).
Men's Pool B: Storage King University 3 (Fletcher Coutts 2, Keegan Payne) beat Aces 1 (Hoete Mitai-Ngatai), HT 2-0; Fraser Tech
2 (Alec Wilson, Kendall Nolan) beat Tauranga Old Boys 1 (Sam Bonney), HT 2-0; Suburbs 0 lost to BOP Indians 2, HT 0-1; Craig’s
Investment Partners Collegians 7 (Jason Coventry, Darryl Morris, Arthur Rasmussen 3, Alex Grey, Craig Hardman) defeated
Waiau Pa Pirates 0, HT 3-0; Points: Collegians 9, BOP Indians 7, University 7, Fraser Tech 6, Waiau Pa 4, Suburbs 1, Aces 0,
Tauranga Old Boys 0.
Women's: Be Active Fitness 11 (Ellie McCleary 2, Emma Hope 2, Siobhan Nuzum 3, Brodie Muscamp 2, Maddie Tims, Claudia
Squire) beat Waiau Pa Bayleys Barbarians 0, HT 7-0; Katikati Cougars 2 (Tayla Sweeney, Magdalena Hermida) beat Suburbs 1
(Anataia Brown), HT 2-0, Fraser Tech 2 (Morgan Clayton, Emma Andrews) defeated Hamilton Old Girls 1 (Hannah Cashell), HT 10; Aces 4 (Parekura Rangitauira 2, Aroha Thompson, Te Aumihi Hohepa) lost to CMS Mount Maunganui 5 (Greer Golding
3, Abbie Johnston, Alana Lloyd), HT 2-2; Ecolab Te Awamutu 3 (Katelyn Olsen, Taletha Holt, Tyler Steel) beat Marist 0; Otumoetai
9 (Deanna Shaw 2, Melia Eades 2, Sarah Hayward 2, Anna Brunning, Danni Maunder, Nikki Furmage) beat Thames Valley 0, HT 70. Points: University 9, Fraser Tech 9, Te Awamutu 7, Otumoetai 6, Hamilton Old Girls 6, Mount Maunganui 5, Katikati 5, Aces 3,
Waiau Pa 2, Suburbs 0, Marist 0, Thames Valley 0.
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