Bayleys Otumoetai kept their unbeaten run alive by prevailing 3-2 in a top-of-the-table clash against Puke Indians from Pukekohe at the Tauranga Hockey Centre on Saturday.
The home side had the best of the opening exchanges and went 1-0 up through a rapid reverse shot by Toby Harris.
The competitionleaders threatened to extend their advantage but failed to finish a series of half chances in an opening half typified by the Indians scrambling well to stay just one goal back at the break.
Harris proved a constant threat with his speed and touch down the left-hand flank until he was substituted midway through the second half with a brace to his name.
His second goal was almost identical to his first, though it came amid conjecture after the ball appeared to touch an attacker's foot during the lead-up.
If anything, the 3-2 result flattered the Indians, though a different ruling on the home side's second goal may have made things more interesting.
Bayleys Otumoetai coach Aaron Buchanan said his side got plenty out of a contest that got a little bit too close for comfort late in the piece.
"I think the first half went pretty well. We were trying to play a more structured game and that sort of worked for us," said Buchanan. "In that second half we sort of fell off the pace a little bit and let them back into the game in the last 15-20 minutes, but the boys are all really happy with the result."
Going 3-0 up midway through the second half allowed the home side to test young combinations against top competition. "We are trying to make sure that we rotate the young players through - in those pressure games they have to understand the pressure and play that as well."
Otumoetai 3 (Toby Harris 2, Hugo Gilmore). Puke 2 (Umesh Hari, Tim Rhanchobi).
