Hockey: Maungakaramea pull off high-scoring win

Premier hockey was in top gear over the weekend. Photo/Getty Images

A polished performance from Maungakaramea lead them to a 5-3 win over Whangarei Boys' High School in their premier men's hockey match on Saturday.

With plenty of substitutes on the bench and by retaining possession, Maungakaramea were able to withstand Boys' High's pace and the teams were 1-all after the first quarter of the match.

When Maungakaramea scored a couple of quick goals in the second quarter the momentum swung hugely in their favour.

Maungakaramea player Steve Nink said his side was starting to show more patience on the ball as the season went on.

"We played good composed hockey and managed to hold the ball and we had a lot of possession which gave us an advantage," Nink said.

Playing a short passing game and using their strengths in the centre of the field, Maungakaramea linked well to form attacks on Boys' High and push the score to 5-1.

Boys' High launched a spirited comeback late in the match but despite strong vocal crowd support, and thanks to a couple of crucial saves from the Maungakaramea defence, they could only claw back two goals to take the final score to 5-3.

It shows how close the premier men's competition is with Maungakaramea being the only team to have beaten Boys' High but the school side now slipping to fourth.

In the other premier men's match, top side Springfield beat Bream Bay 6-2 while Mangapai had the bye.

In the premier women's grade, Old Girls beat Mangapai 8-1 on Friday while Whangarei Girls' High School beat Hikurangi 3-0 and Springfield beat Maungakaramea 3-1 on Saturday.