Hockey: 'Best mates' keep clean sheet in history

CD U18 HB players Josh Wray (standing third from right), Sean Crook (front left), Marten Draeger (front kneeling, pointing to trophy) and captain Sam Hiha (fourth from right). PHOTO/SUPPLIED

WHEN a team excels it is human nature to look at the mechanics of their composition on the competitive front to ascertain what went right.

But that is not entirely the reason why the Central Districts Under-18 men's hockey team have returned undefeated from Auckland with the national bragging rights last Saturday.

"I think it was because of our team culture and how we gelled as a team that helped us, especially in the big games," says CD captain Sam Hiha, of Hawke's Bay, following their acquisition in Albany.

"It's pretty big. Off the field we're best mates with everyone getting on with everyone else," says the year 13 Napier Boys' High School pupil.

Coach Jamie Stones, of New Plymouth, and his assistant, Joe Hanks, of Hastings Boys' High School, mentored the teenagers to hockey heaven.

In going through unblemished, the CD side created history as the first champions to do so in the age-group tourney.

The other Bay players in the squad are defender Josh Wray (HBHS), goalkeeper Sean Crook (HBHS) and defender Marten Draeger (NBHS).

Striker/midfielder Hiha claimed two goals in the tourney but CD striker Hayden Phillips, of Levin, was the top scorer with five and also was named player of the tourney.

Phillips is the only CD player in last year's New Zealand U18 team but Hiha is hopeful others will make the cut when the Tiger team is announced this month.

In fact, the 17-year-old grandson of Bay hockey matriarch Margaret Hiha suspects some of them will go on to represent the Black Sticks men.

In pool play, CD beat Auckland 4-3, Canterbury 4-2 and thrashed Northland 8-0.

In the top-four playoffs, they beat Midlands 2-1 and North Harbour 3-0 before clinching the final from Midlands, 2-1.

With the geographically scattered nature of CD, Hiha says the team have had to train at different centres.

"So it's real good to have Joe Hanks here because it helps us better prepare for tournaments."

His grandmother coached him when he was at St Patrick's Primary School and nowadays watches him play the odd game.

"She tells me she used to be a pretty good striker in her days and tells me to go out there to score a couple," he says with a laugh.

The Central Districts outfit had to catch their flight straight after the tourney finished so they didn't have any celebrations but Hiha thinks they may get together to do that later during the school holidays this year.