SENIOR DIV 1 WEEKEND WRAP - WEEK 12
Northern Hearts have all but secured top spot in South Canterbury division one men's hockey with two weeks to go in the regular season, but all eyes will be on Cambridge as they look to finish over the top of Excelsior and grab fourth spot.
Hearts had a dominant second half performance to dismantle Timaru Boys' High School 7-2, while Cambridge beat Excelsior 8-1.
Tinwald came from two goals down at halftime to draw with Wakanui Black 2-2, while Wakanui Blue were good enough to collect a bonus point 4-1 win over Tainui.
Hearts extended their lead at the top to 10 points over Wakanui Black, but not before they went a goal down to TBHS.
Hearts player/coach Matt Cooper said Josh McArthur's attacking performance was one of his best this season and there were plenty of positives to take out of the match.
"Going a goal down wasn't entirely a bad thing because we haven't done that too much so far this year.
"We wanted to hold on to possession more in the second half and we knew the goals would come."
Wakanui Black did the exact opposite in their match with Tinwald.
Wakanui Black player/coach Mark Bennett said giving up a two-goal lead in the second half was "disgusting".
"We got the early lead and then we took it all a bit lightly."
Tinwald coach Graeme McAndrew said Ben Thomas at fullback was at his consistent best but the whole team lifted for the match.
"We knew we were facing a pretty stacked team and that if we didn't front-up, we would get well beaten.
"We marked up tight and shut down their space which was great."
A lack of player numbers could cost Excelsior fourth spot and relegate them to the second tier of post-section play as their main challenger Cambridge showed they were the team most likely to threaten them.
Cambridge player Hamish Brown said Kerin Shea was unstoppable on attack scoring a hat-trick, while Jono Panting scored twice.
Excelsior player Logan Callow said his team would have to target next week's clash with Tainui as the game to win to secure fourth spot.
Tainui continued their season of missed opportunities with a loss to third-placed Wakanui Blue.
Wakanui Blue player/coach Sam Moore said two early goals helped their cause but it was far from a perfect performance, but he was satisfied with a four-goal bonus point.
Tainui coach Shaun Cunningham said lacking of finishing again cost them any chance of victory.
The big guns all fired in women's division one action, with St Andrews Geraldine and Craighead Diocesan School at recording victories.
St Andrews cruised past Timaru Girls' High School 7-1, while Geraldine scored two late goals to down Hampstead Allenton 3-1 and Craighead were in control against Collegians as they eased to a 5-0 win.
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Craighead coach Bruce Rayner said his team looked great with possession but had to work on their intensity.
"We just have to work on when we concede free hits – we're too slow in turning around, but we'll work on that."
TGHS coach Robin Clarkson said there were signs of improvement from his team, but they were made to pay for lapses in concentration.
- The Timaru Herald
Hearts had a dominant second half performance to dismantle Timaru Boys' High School 7-2, while Cambridge beat Excelsior 8-1.
Tinwald came from two goals down at halftime to draw with Wakanui Black 2-2, while Wakanui Blue were good enough to collect a bonus point 4-1 win over Tainui.
Hearts extended their lead at the top to 10 points over Wakanui Black, but not before they went a goal down to TBHS.
Hearts player/coach Matt Cooper said Josh McArthur's attacking performance was one of his best this season and there were plenty of positives to take out of the match.
"Going a goal down wasn't entirely a bad thing because we haven't done that too much so far this year.
"We wanted to hold on to possession more in the second half and we knew the goals would come."
Wakanui Black did the exact opposite in their match with Tinwald.
Wakanui Black player/coach Mark Bennett said giving up a two-goal lead in the second half was "disgusting".
"We got the early lead and then we took it all a bit lightly."
Tinwald coach Graeme McAndrew said Ben Thomas at fullback was at his consistent best but the whole team lifted for the match.
"We knew we were facing a pretty stacked team and that if we didn't front-up, we would get well beaten.
"We marked up tight and shut down their space which was great."
A lack of player numbers could cost Excelsior fourth spot and relegate them to the second tier of post-section play as their main challenger Cambridge showed they were the team most likely to threaten them.
Cambridge player Hamish Brown said Kerin Shea was unstoppable on attack scoring a hat-trick, while Jono Panting scored twice.
Excelsior player Logan Callow said his team would have to target next week's clash with Tainui as the game to win to secure fourth spot.
Tainui continued their season of missed opportunities with a loss to third-placed Wakanui Blue.
Wakanui Blue player/coach Sam Moore said two early goals helped their cause but it was far from a perfect performance, but he was satisfied with a four-goal bonus point.
Tainui coach Shaun Cunningham said lacking of finishing again cost them any chance of victory.
The big guns all fired in women's division one action, with St Andrews Geraldine and Craighead Diocesan School at recording victories.
St Andrews cruised past Timaru Girls' High School 7-1, while Geraldine scored two late goals to down Hampstead Allenton 3-1 and Craighead were in control against Collegians as they eased to a 5-0 win.
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Craighead coach Bruce Rayner said his team looked great with possession but had to work on their intensity.
"We just have to work on when we concede free hits – we're too slow in turning around, but we'll work on that."
TGHS coach Robin Clarkson said there were signs of improvement from his team, but they were made to pay for lapses in concentration.
- The Timaru Herald