Midlands Intercity hockey results

Otumoetai's Kaye Barnett in possession. Photo/File

The big clash in the Midlands Intercity hockey championship in Tauranga on Saturday was the women's local derby between Otumoetai and Mount Maunganui.

A penalty corner goal in the second minute from Mount's Abbie Johnston rocked Otumoetai and they took a while to find their rhythm, but both teams had their opportunities as the first half progressed. Shortly before the halftime break, captain Samantha Savory scored Mount's second goal from a penalty corner.

In the second spell Mount Maunganui applied the pressure, and two more goals from Abbie Johnston sealed Otumoetai's fate. With less than two minutes on the clock, Otumoetai striker Dani Maunder dribbled through the Mount defence and crashed the ball into the net for a consolation goal.

The 4-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of the match, where Mount's pivot Kate Savory played a vital role in dominating the midfield. Kaye Barnett tackled effectively on defence for Otumoetai.

Katikati had a tough away game against Aces in Rotorua, and were overpowered 4-0.
Te Awamutu upset University 3-2 in Hamilton, so Mount's win catapulted them to third position on the women's points table.

Otumoetai men's team hosted Waiau Pa from Counties, and they quickly dominated the visitors as they accumulated goals for a 4-0 lead by the break, including two PC drag-flicks by captain Hugh Gilmer. Further goals were added by Otumoetai in the second half, resulting in a resounding 8-1 victory, and leaving Otumoetai at the top of the points ladder for the Men's Intercity Plate.

Tauranga Old Boys played Suburbs in Hamilton and were undone by Suburbs' centre-forward Aaron McNabb who scored both of the goals in their 2-1 win over Old Boys.

McNabb would have had a wry smile on his face at the end of the match, because he used to play for Old Boys when he lived in Tauranga. Sam Tingey scored Old Boys' only goal.

Kohekohe heads the Men's Intercity Championship points table after defeating BOP Indians 3-1 at Pukekohe.

Results:
Women's Championship
Fraser Tech 4 Suburbs 3, HT 2-1; Te Awamutu 3 Waikato University 2, HT 1-2; Mount Maunganui 4 Otumoetai 1, HT 2-0; Hamilton Old Girls 4 Waiau Pa 0; Rotorua Aces 4 Katikati 0; Marist 7 Thames Valley 0.
Points: Fraser Tech 30, Hamilton Old Girls 25, Mount Maunganui 20, University 18, Otumoetai 18, Te Awamutu 17, Suburbs 12, Aces 11, Katikati 10, Waiau Pa 8, Marist 4, Thames Valley United 0.

Men's Championship
Waikato University 1 Waikato Collegians 0, HT 0-0; Hamilton Old Boys 2 Pukekohe Indians 2, HT 1-1; Te Awamutu 4 Fraser Tech 3, HT 1-0; Kohekohe 3 BOP Indians 1.
Points: Kohekohe 9, University 9, Collegians 6, Te Awamutu 6, Hamilton Old Boys 4, Pukekohe Indians 1, Fraser Tech 0, BOP Indians 0.
Men's Plate
Suburbs 2 Tauranga Old Boys 1, HT 0-0; Otumoetai 8 Waiau Pa 1, HT 4-0; Rotorua Aces 4 Onewhero-Pukekohe 1; Thames Valley the bye.
Points: Otumoetai 9, Aces 6, Suburbs 6, Waiau Pa 4, Onewhero-Pukekohe 1, Tauranga Old Boys 0, Thames Valley 0.