Hockey: Hikurangi surges back, but too late

Hikurangi's Claudia King slogs the ball away from Maungakaramea's Janine Groves during Saturday's round-two fixture between the two premier women's sides. Photo / Tania Whyte

Maungakaramea 5 Hikurangi 1

A stifling comeback from Club Auto Hikurangi levelled their second-half goal scoring effort, 1-1, against a well-versed Real Deal Maungakaramea side.

However, the damage was done in the first half by Maungakaramea, whose crisp attacking prowess was on show in an impressive 5-1 goal scoring fest.

Hikurangi coach Meredith McInnes, who returned to coaching duties after missing round one, was impressed with her team's valiant return in the second stanza.

"We had made some improvements," McInnes says.

"They put us under a lot of pressure in the first half [so] we were pretty happy with our second half."

After a few stern words during the halftime huddle, Hikurangi took to the second half with plans to mark up on Maungakaramea tighter, McInnes saying it was something "they did a good job of".

A goal in the last 10 minutes by Hikurangi showed they can break the defensive line while under pressure.

Despite that, the four-goal lead established by Maungakaramea before halftime proved too difficult for Hikurangi to chase down.

Although five goals were slung into the net, McInnes noted the performance of goalkeeper Nicky Mathews as a crucial element in keeping the game from slipping further away than it did.

Furthermore, Mathews performed well in what was her second game back from having a baby.

The start to the season won't get much easier for Hikurangi next weekend as they prepare to take on Old Girls.