The semifinals of the Hawke's Bay Boys' Secondary Schools Hockey Division 1 league saw Hastings Boys' High School 1st XI play Taradale High School 1st XI last week.
HBHS had finished top of the table in the round robin league stage of the season and whilst Taradale had finished fourth they had improved significantly in the latter part of the season.
Hastings Boys' had the majority of possession and territorial advantage for much of the game. Taradale were always going to be a threat on the counterattack through Central Districts Under 21 forward Regan Hughes. Hastings had a large number of chances in the first half from both open play and set pieces.
Taradale's goalkeeper had an exceptional game to keep Hastings scoreless for a long time. Hughes had one half chance in the first period of play and he unleashed an unstoppable shot to give Taradale a 1-0 lead very much against the run of play.
Hastings didn't panic however and kept fully focused throughout the match. Mitchell Bradley scored to equalise for Hastings just before halftime.