College Sport: Unbeaten Iona into national hockey quarters

Nelson College's Rick Muir (left) and Napier Boys' High School's Max Simcox tussle for possession during yesterday's quarterfinal. Photo/Paul Taylor

If the formula is working don't change it ... that was the message from Iona College's 1st XI hockey team's captain Arabella Sheild yesterday.

Her team booked a quarterfinal berth at the National Secondary Schoolgirls Federation Cup tournament being played in Hawke's Bay with a 3-0 victory against Hamilton Girls' High School in Napier.

"We did what worked for us the previous day. We placed the stick of our injured defender Allie Chesterman behind our goal and the girls really stepped up again," Sheild explained.

Chesterman collected a dislocated knee in unbeaten Iona's victory against Waikato Diocesan on Tuesday and because she is unavailable to play her team has dedicated their remaining matches to her.

Strikers Bella Greig and Olivia Kirkpatrick and inner Olivia Shannon scored for Iona who led 2-0 at halftime yesterday.

"To be fair Hamilton had long periods of dominance in the first half. But when we increased the tempo in the second half we dominated," Sheild said.

Her team will meet Rangi Ruru Girls' School from Christchurch in their 1.45pm quarter-final in Napier.

"We have a good relationship with Hamilton Girls' and their sportsmanship was great today," Sheild added.

Napier Girls' High missed out on a quarter-final berth when beaten 1-0 in a sudden-death shootout by Queen Margaret College of Wellington in their top-16 clash in Hastings. The score was 1-all at the end of regulation time after Hannah Cotter scored for Napier in the first half and the Wellingtonians replied in the second half.

"We're pretty gutted with the loss but all we can do is focus on our next goal which is finishing ninth and to do that we have to beat Columba College of Dunedin,"
manager Conrad Knapp said referring to their match this morning.

Captain and striker Sophie Nation, centre half Rileigh Knapp and defender Ruby Roberts were prominent in a gutsy team effort from Napier.

■ Napier Boys' High School were beaten 1-0 by Nelson College in their quarter-final at the national secondary schools premier football tournament in Napier yesterday.

"It was a tough battle which could have gone either way. Nelson scored from a penalty with four or five minutes remaining. Our keeper Daniel Robinson made three really good saves before then," NBHS manager Pete McGlashan recalled.

NBHS captain and defender Campbell Hantler marshalled his troops well. Midfielders Josh Murphy and Ethan Martin and striker Jorge Akers were again prominent for Napier.
The Super 8 champions will begin their fifth to eighth playoffs today.

Hastings Boys' High School remain winless after a 2-0 loss to Waimea College yesterday.
"We made a couple of early defensive lapses and tried to get back in it after that. But to be fair this week is all about development," HBHS coach Grant Hastings said.

"We could have gone to a satellite tournament but we thought it would be good to show the boys what level they need to get to. It is a big pill to swallow but the boys have been competitive in every game. Hopefully we will get a win before the end of the week," he added.

His side will meet Palmerston North Boys' High School today.