Hockey: Hawke’s Bay knock over champs to reach quarterfinals of under-18 nationals

Hosts Hawke's Bay (in black) managed to defeat defending champions North Harbour A on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals. Photo / Warren Buckland

The Hawke’s Bay under-18 men’s hockey team have toppled defending champions North Harbour A to progress to the quarterfinals of their national tournament in Napier.

The tournament, which started on Sunday and ends on Saturday, has attracted 22 teams.

The match of the day on Wednesday saw hosts Hawke’s Bay defeat defending champions North Harbour A in a penalty shootout after their match ended 1-1, during a round-of-16 match.

It was a huge scalp for Hawke’s Bay as North Harbour A has won the national title for the past three years, but have now been knocked out of the running for another national title.

Canterbury A player Finn McCormack-Young and Wairarapa’s Noah Fisher in their match. Canterbury A won 6-1. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke’s Bay are through to the quarterfinals on Thursday, and have their tail up heading into that match after winning all three of their games so far.

The Hawke’s Bay men’s team last won a national title in 2010.

The tournament involves 75 games and about 400 players and officials, coming a fortnight after a men’s Black Sticks camp in Hawke’s Bay preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris.

In the under-18 women’s tournament in Christchurch, Hawke’s Bay led their pool heading into Wednesday’s game against Wellington, despite the first loss in three games, beaten 3-2 by Tauranga, on Tuesday.

Doug Laing is a senior reporter based in Napier with Hawke’s Bay Today, and has 51 years of journalism experience, 40 of them in Hawke’s Bay, in news gathering, including breaking news, sports, local events, issues, and personalities.