Hockey: Intense draw highlights tough round

Whangarei Girls' High School fought hard to get a 2-1 win over Hikurangi on Friday night.

The nil-all score line did not reflect the intense battles across the field in the top of the table premier men's hockey match between Maungakaramea and Springfield on Saturday.

With Maungakaramea improving throughout the season, and Springfield looking to keep hold of the top spot on the table the game was shaping up to be one to watch.

Maungakaramea started the game well, dominating the first quarter of the match before Springfield fought their way back into it.

Springfield coach Grant McLeod said "we got a little bit better in the second and third quarters so we lifted and got better as the game went on."

With a number of players out through illness and injury, Springfield needed time to settle into their new combinations and McLeod was happy with how the younger club members fitted into the side.

"I thought our young guys stepped up and that was good that they fronted up and lifted their performances," McLeod said.

"We were a little bit short-handed but the boys toughed it out really well . . . there was quite a lot of contest going on all over the park," McLeod added.

In the second men's match on Saturday, three first half goals were enough for Mangapai to get a 3-1 win over Bream Bay.

Being down 3-0 at half time, Bream Bay fought back in the second half to get one goal back before having a second goal decision reversed.

In the premier women's competition, Whangarei Girls' High School fought hard to get a 2-1 win over Hikurangi on Friday night.

Springfield came from behind to beat Maungakaramea 2-1 on Saturday while Old Girls beat Mangapai 6-0.