Hockey: Rampant Old Girls show no mercy

Old Girls' Tarannah Vette played a leading role in the 5-1 win over Hikurangi. Photo / Michael Cunningham

ChillTech Old Girls were in total control of their round three premier women's hockey match with a 5-1 win over Club Auto Hikurangi.

The dominant Old Girls outfit took no mercy over a struggling Hikurangi side who are yet to find their stride so far this season.

Old girls coach Alan Lints said the healthy, 3-0 halftime buffer provided an opportunity for his team to work on a number of different combinations.

"In the second half we just tried a few things," Lints said.

"Our whole strategy is that we play a passing game. The good thing is we used our full bench."

Despite the second half allowing Old Girls a chance to strut their stuff in front of the Kensington crowd, Hikurangi made an imposing start to play after the interval.

Lints admits his side were made to work a little harder as a result of this.

"We have high standards. The critical thing for us is that we just play our own game.

"When you play a game that's not as good, you can't lower yourself. We did that for 15 [minutes] in the second half."

Hikurangi's goalkeeper, Nicky Mathews, backed up a great effort last week with another solid game.

"She's great," Lints said. "We put a lot of balls in there and we know that we have to play different tactically. She's a great keeper."

Of the six teams in the premier women's grade, Lints admits Mathews and Old Girl's goalie Karen Parker are the cream of the crop.

"One of the players that plays consistently for us is Karen Parker in goal. She doesn't get a lot of work but she's a banker," Lints said.

Results
Premier Men Round 4
• Springfield 3 Mangapai 1
• Maungakaramea 4 Bream Bay Utd 3

Premier Women Round 3
• Old Girls 5 Hikurangi 1
• Springfield 16 Mangapai 0
• Maungakaramea 6 Whangarei Girls' High School 2