- Brian Darth Funeral Services Stratford Men's A
The Brian Darth Funeral Services Stratford Men's A hockey team had double duty this week with a catch up game against a strong New Plymouth Boys High School team on Monday evening. Stratford were wanting to control the game and after some good work from the right side attack, found Caleb Robinson on the left hand corner of the post to go 1-0 early in the game. Stratford maintained pressure and scored off a Gil Sandford penalty corner, followed by a field goal just before half time. Half time score 3-0.
Boys High was a different team in the second half, and placed pressure on Stratford, who were guilty of a disjointed attack. Stratford's penalty corner defence were solid and repelled Boys High nine attacking corners in the second half. Chris West had an outstanding game in goal, along with Adrian Burden playing well at right half. Stratford when they combined together went on to score another two goals and high school added a field goal to finish with a 5-1 win.
Stratford then followed up its second game this week against Te Kiri. With a new style of structure they put Stratford under pressure right from the start. Stratford struggled to connect, but absorbed their pressure, and with its first outing into Te Kiri's half, resulted in Stratford scoring from a penalty corner from Curtis Boyde. This spurred Stratford on, and it wasn't long before Scott Williams was denied a shot at goal resulting in a penalty stroke, which Boyde converted nicely. Half time score 2-0 to Stratford.
After a good half time discussion, Stratford started the second half strong and resulted in a lot of good opportunities, but defence by Te Kiri repelled Stratford's attack every time. Te Kiri then scored from a defensive error a field goal, and pressure mounted on Stratford. Luck just didn't go Stratford's way for most of the second half with miss-traps, and lack of composure. Another defensive error led to Te Kiri scoring their second goal and equalising 2-2. Stratford were unlucky with a couple of late scoring attacks, but Te Kiri defence played well to deny Stratford attack, final score 2-2.