Tairawhiti women finish runners-up

FINALISTS: The Tairawhiti women’s hockey team finished runners-up in the national Maori tournament held in Gisborne over the long weekend, in only the second time they have made the final in more than 20 years. They are, back (from left): Morgan Tuhou, Nancy Tarawa, Courtney Onekawa, Keita Pepere, Dannell Tuhou, Maika Akroyd, Awhina Rickard, Moelani Tureia-Siataga, Kelsey Teneti, Jade Stafford, Toni Halley. Front: Julie Mulligan, Aorangi Pahuru, Maddison Savage, Tiari Pepere, Anahera Whaanga-Smith, Mikayla Tamati, Maia Rickard. Absent: Lucy McHugh. Picture supplied

HOCKEY

THE Tairawhiti women’s hockey team finished runners-up in the national Maori hockey tournament at the weekend, only the second time a Tairawhiti women’s team has made the final since the tournament began in the early 1990s.

They went through pool play unbeaten, scoring 15 goals, and then defeated Aotea from Taranaki-Manawatu in the play-offs on Sunday by five goals to nil.

It meant they faced Tamaki Makaurau from Auckland in yesterday morning’s final on the turf at Harry Barker Reserve.

“The Auckland team led 1-0 at half time then added a second goal in the second half to record a narrow 2-0 win,” said hockey commentator Tony Scragg.

“The Tairawhiti women created more chances for themselves in the second period, but just could not score.”

Scragg said that despite the loss in the final, it was a tremendous result for the Tairawhiti team.

“They conceded only two goals in the whole tournament.

“It was great for local hockey. It just shows the benefit of having our turf facility at Harry Barker.”

Tairawhiti women’s co-player-coach Courtney Onekawa said they were unfortunate not to come away with a win in the final.

“We had a very good second half where we created plenty of opportunities, but we were denied by outstanding defence by Tamaki Makaurau.

“I feel like our team overall had a great weekend. We were absolutely thrilled to make the final,” Onekawa said.

“The tournament itself was awesome.”

The Tairawhiti men’s team did not have such a successful tournament.

They lost all their games and finished eighth. The Nga Hau e Wha composite team, which included some players from Gisborne, finished sixth.

Scragg said the visitors were full of praise for the turf and the hospitality shown by everyone in Tairawhiti.

“That’s a credit to the organising committee and all the volunteers involved.

“It was a tremendous weekend.”

One of the visitors said it was great that the tournament was played on just the one turf because it brought everyone together around the one playing field.

Next year it will be played in Wellington.

Three Tairawhiti players were named in the under 21 New Zealand women’s team — Kelsey Teneti, Maia Rickard, and Moelani Tureia-Siataga.

Two were named in the New Zealand Maori women’s side — Maika Akroyd and Awhina Rickard. Maia Rickard will be a non-travelling reserve.

Gisborne’s Josie Morete was named a life member of the New Zealand Maori Hockey Association at the weekend.