Hockey: Otumoetai side still unbeaten

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 competition leaders 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.

Otumoetai went 3-0 up from a penalty corner shortly after, before making some substitutions that allowed the Pukekohe side back into the contest.

The visitors, previously only dangerous when countering quickly on the break, suddenly sprang to life.

The influence of Puke captain Umesh Hari grew all the more, but two stunning strikes late in the piece were not enough to square the ledger.

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).