Hockey: Springfield ask for date change

Springfield will take their battle for the premier grade title to the boardroom after they were beaten 2-0 by Maungakaramea on Saturday.

It was only Springfield's second loss of the season and team management believe that they will be unfairly disadvantaged if they go into the first round of playoffs without their Northland U18 players.

Gavin Alison said they were seeking a transfer of their top-two playoff match - against Maungakaramea again - from Saturday to Monday night to allow the return of their junior rep players.

"We want to win next weekend and with so many of our best players at national tournament that's going to make it difficult," he said.

Springfield had five of their U18 players away, while Maungakaramea were missing only two from their squad at the tournament in Palmerston North.

If Springfield lose to Maungakarmea this week they will still have a chance to add to this season's silverware collection. The loser of the match goes on to play the winner of the third and fourth team playoff, the following week.

The result of that match was further put into doubt on Saturday with fourth-placed Mangapai surprising third-placed Bream Bay 2-1. A great field goal to Christian Stanton won the match after PC strikes from Steve Shepherd and Bream Bay's Gary Sands.

It was a frustrating day for Bream Bay with 34 circle penetrations but only one goal and they will be hoping for better come Saturday.

The women's results were less controversial with champions-elect Springfield rolling Hikurangi 6-0. The other match of the round was played on Monday with Old Girls beating Whangarei Girls High School 3-1. Kamo High School defaulted their match against Maungakaramea.