Hockey: Otumoetai retain their crown

Toby Harris was one of four goal scorers for Bayleys Otumoetai as they went back-to-back in the Midlands Intercity men's hockey final. PHOTO/FILE

Bayleys Otumoetai have retained their Midland Intercity hockey crown.

The defending champions went into the final against Thames Valley United as underdogs in Pukekohe on Saturday after qualifying through a semifinal defeat of CMS Mount.

The game started with both teams playing good, structured hockey, before Bayleys Otumoetai opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a goal from Denym Clarke to go 1-0 up.

United equalised shortly after, with Toby Harris' strike and Geoff Williamson's fantastic penalty corner drag flick save enough to give the Otumoetai a 2-1 half-time lead.

Hayden Bruin made it 3-1 eight minutes into the second half, giving the Bay side some breathing room that was threatened when Geoff Williamson was struck down with a badly dislocated shoulder.

Tyler Bruin got the job as his replacement for the final 10 minutes, and was faultless as Andrew Bigham scored to make it 4-1. Coach Aaron Buchanan said the team had targeted a run at the top four and had peaked at the right time.

"The result this year was put down to the dedication and desire the boys had," he said.

"We had some mixed results this year, but the team focus and goals remained solid - basically it was to make top four, win the semi and then put everything on the line for the final.

"The whole team was fantastic, I felt Cory Bruin and Geoff Williamson had an exceptional final."

In the Midlands Intercity Women's Final, defending champions Bayleys Otumoetai women went down to Thames Valley United 2-1 in a keenly contested final. It was the first time Valley United had won the trophy.