Round 3 of the 2013 Central Hockey League took place on a wet Sunday afternoon at Napier's Park Island turf. The Hawke's Bay Senior Women's team took on an unbeaten Manawatu side who were determined to bag another win.
Both teams had several early chances, but were unable to capitalise.Hawke's Bay had an opportunity to hit the front towards the end of the first half when they were awarded a stroke. However, a fantastic save from the Manawatu goalkeeper kept the scores locked at nil-all.
Manawatu continued to pressure the Hawke's Bay goal into the second half, but courageous defence at penalty corner time from Erin Weber and Jamiee Edwards meant the visitors were unable to grab the lead. The local women finished well with several chances just going astray in the dying stages of the game.
With a result needing to be recorded, the winner was to be decided by way of an eight second shoot out. Some excellent finishing skills from Weber, Tori Avison and Edwards, along with some quick-footed goalkeeping from Tessa Gregory-Hunt, saw the Hawke's Bay Women clinch victory by 3-2. The next round of competition sees the Hawke's Bay side travel to Wanganui to take on Taranaki this coming Sunday.
In the day's other game HB Men were up against a very good Manawatu side.
With five minutes to go in the first half Manawatu produced a positive attack and some good work in the circle to slot the ball past the HB goalkeeper. They followed with another well executed field goal 3 minutes later.
Manawatu came out fired up in the second half and capitalised on two further opportunities to come out winners by four goals to nil.
