Waituhi leave it late

Hockey: Waituhi defender Kristi Brown (left), here in action against YMP's Lucy McHugh (centre), was in good form for her side in their semifinal against Te Aowera last night. Waituhi will play Paikea in the senior women's final. File picture by Liam Clayton

IT took the Waituhi women until seven minutes from the end of their hockey semifinal against Te Aowera to score their first goal last night, and a minute from the end they put it beyond doubt.

Waituhi won the clash on the Hain Farming Turf at Harry Barker Reserve 2-0, but kudos to Te Aowera for the fight they put up.

“It was such an even game, right up to the final quarter,” hockey commentator Tony Scragg said.

“Waituhi lifted a gear in that final period of play and kept their foot on the pedal right till the end.”

Briar McLeely scored the opening Waituhi goal and skipper Marlene Nikora scored the clincher.

“Te Aowera goalkeeper Hinemoa Sidney pulled off some amazing saves in the first half,” Scragg said.

“The score would have been a lot higher without her efforts. She kept Te Aowera in the game, along with teammate and striker Alex Tuhoe-Smith, whose attacking raids nearly caught Waituhi out a couple of times.

“For Waituhi, credit goes to defender Kristi Brown, who helped her side's defensive trio deny Te Aowera attackers.”

Waituhi captain Nikora told Scragg afterwards that the win meant a lot to her girls, knowing the club's men's team were already in the senior men's final.

“Te Aowera always bring their best against us,” Nikora said.

“We did struggle, but we stayed tight and grafted out the win.”

Waituhi play Paikea in the senior women's final.

The semifinals continue tonight with the Lytton Old Boys Masters up against YMP B to see who joins the Waituhi men in the senior final.

Scragg has said that could be the closest of the semifinals this week.

' The Poverty Hockey Association has rescheduled the finals that were to have been played this Saturday.

They will start with the Waituhi-Paikea match to decide the women's senior grade next Thursday night (September 30).

The premier women will battle for their title on the Friday night (October 1) and we await the match between GMC Green and Amber Dental Gisborne Girls' High tomorrow night, to see who joins YMP in that match.

On Saturday, October 2, the senior men's final will be played, and it will be followed by the premier men's final.