Hockey: Mt Maunganui subdue Pukekohe Onewhero

An impressive Mount Maunganui side ran out 8-3 winners in a high-scoring clash against Onewhero Pukekohe at the Tauranga Hockey Centre on Saturday.

Two teams intent on attack meant a steady stream of goals, with the visitors on the receiving end of a second five-goal hiding at the same venue within seven days after falling to Bayleys Otumoetai by the same margin a week ago.

Robert Lethbridge twice threatened to open the scoring for the second-placed Mount, just failing to get enough stick on a deflection before narrowly missing the top lefthand corner with a wild slash, but it was Brad McKenzie who opened the scoring after a nice passing play midway through the half.

Onewhero Pukehohe levelled the scores soon after from a penalty corner resulting from a bizarre back pass, but Lethbridge restored the advantage almost immediately when the visitors failed to clear the ball out of the circle in defence.

But it was Lincoln Churchill who really put this one away. His double came within a handful of minutes; the first was slammed home from an acute angle before the second came via stealing possession from the last defender and tucking the ball past the helpless goalie.

A three-on-one resulting from another breakdown by the visitors made the score 5-1, with the Mount looking much fitter and faster than their counterparts.

The score threatened to blow out when the Mount hit on the counter attack to make it 7-1, but two late goals from the Pukekohe side meant the score was not too unflattering.

The win leaves Mount Maunganui in second place on the ladder with eyes firmly set on competition leaders Bayleys Otumoetai.

Mount Maunganui 8 (Brad McKenzie 2, Logan Thompson 2, Lincoln Churchill 2, Robert Lethbridge 2) Onewhero Pukekohe 3 (Kieran Coughey, Naresh Kana, Paul Rae)