The Wanganui under 15 girls hockey team took a step closer to gold when they dispatched titleholders Canterbury 3-2 at the National U15 Hockey Championship in Timaru on Tuesday morning.
They then went out in the afternoon session and demolished Hawkes Bay 6-0.
Coach Jan Dixon praised her girls for not only handling the pressure of playing up to two games a day, but also for combining on the field to win against strong opposition.
"I'm surprised were were in the same pool as Canterbury actually. They only just beat us the final last year," Dixon said.
"But today we up early and had them immediately on the back foot to come away with a 3-2 win. All the girls are playing well."