Hockey: Hikurangi grab important victory

Bream Bay United's Jonathan Shaw takes control after Mangapai's Ethan Codlin hits the turf. Photo/Tania Whyte

Hikurangi bounced back with a 2-0 win over Mangapai in their round two premier women's hockey match on Saturday.

Hikurangi coach Marika Currie said her team were starting to get some structure in their game early in the season.

"We're still a young team learning to gel together," Currie said, adding "there was still work to do."

After a first round loss, Hikurangi came into the game looking to get points on the board early in the season.

In the tight match and goals from Jacqui Cole and Emily Houston were the difference for Hikurangi.

In the other premier women's matches, Springfield finished with a flurry to push the score out to 4-1 against Whangarei Girls' High School on Friday night.

Old Girls were pushed hard by Maungakaramea but were able to convert their opportunities to come out eventual 2-1 winners on Saturday.

In the premier men's grade Mangapai came out strong in their first game of the season, beating Bream Bay 6-2.

After a bye in round one, Mangapai scored early in the match by converting a penalty corner before Bream Bay struck back making for a close first quarter.

Mangapai kept up the intensity and eventually tired out a depleted Bream Bay side, scoring five more goals before Bream Bay's final consolation goal just before full time.

In the other premier men's match, Springfield scored a final quarter goal to take a 2-1 win over Maungakaramea while Whangarei Boys' High School had the bye.