Hockey: City's double blow against Country

City came out winners 4-1 over Country in the first game of the three match series

It was club mate against club mate as the men's and women's City versus Country series got underway at Northland Hockey on Saturday.

It is the first time the series has been held in the women's format and after a slow start City came out winners 4-1 over Country in the first game of the three match series.

Both teams took their time to gel as limited training together showed, but it was the City side who took their opportunities in the second quarter of the game.

City captain Alana Laybourn said "it took us a quarter but we felt each other after that and I think we were just a bit more patient than them."

Using their strong midfield combinations, City created a good passing game and went ahead when Anna Cooper slotted away a rebound off the keeper, before Jane Thomson converted a penalty corner to double City's lead.

Laybourn said "we concentrated on penalty corners because we figured that we've got quite a good PC set up so we may as well try and get PCs and use our strength there."

City came out fast after halftime and converted early when Elle Swanson finished a penalty corner variation before Laybourn stretched the lead shortly after when she converted another penalty corner opportunity.

Country got one back towards the end of the match when a Jodie Nichol strike found the backboard after they had a period on attack.

"It's fun to play with players you don't usually play with and there is a little bit of pride involved because you're playing for something. You have a bit of banter out there," Laybourn said.

In the men's match City came from behind to clinch a 2-1 win in the final minutes of the game.

Country went one up early in the match when Liam Litchfield touched the ball in off the post.

It wasn't until early in the second half that City found the equaliser through Lloyd Gurr before securing the win four minutes from full time when Chad Cahalane found the goal.

The three match series continues on Wednesday from 6pm before the final matches on Sunday from 3pm.