Hockey: Springfield cast aside Bream Bay challenge

Springfield underlined their position as the team to beat in the Northland men's premier hockey competition with a 4-0 drubbing of Bream Bay United.

The team scored all four of their goals in the first spell as they ran their opposition ragged with opposing coach Vicki Gribble grudgingly praising the way Springfield put their team under pressure. "The leadership of experienced players like Lloyd Gurr and Dion Watts saw them putting us under pressure and that forced us into defensive errors that cost us goals."

Mangapai continue to improve with the playoffs only three weeks away and they led Maungakaramea at half-time with goals to Chance Wilson-Harding and Karl Kitchen giving them the advantage over Vaughan Gillingham's strike. Second-half goals to Ian Page and Nic Breslan rescued a 3-2 win for Maungakaramea but all signs point to Mangapai being a threat come the play-offs despite their poor record this season.

In the women's matches Springfield continued on their winning ways with a 8-0 drubbing of Kamo High School. Kamo never gave up and they defended well at penalty corners, forcing the normally precise Springfield drag-flickers into shooting wide.

Maungakaramea showed they are still a big threat in the competition by leading Old Girls 2-0 deep into the fourth quarter until two late goals rescued a draw for the second-placed team.

Hikurangi showed their season is by no means over as well by beating Whangarei Girls High School 3-2.

Meanwhile the initial Northland teams for this year's National Hockey League competition have been released:

Northland men:

James Bailey, Chad Cahalane, John Child, Lloyd Gurr, Keeley Johnson, Tom Keogh, Alistair Langridge, Strachan McLeod, Adam Rafferty, Shay Neal, Steve Nink, Dion Watts and Sam Webb.

Northland women:

Aleyse Emirali, Alicia Jurisich, Caroline Lancaster, Alana Millington, Stacey Michelsen, Elley Miller, Jess McAllister, Jade McLeod, Jody Nichol, Alyx Pivac, Brooke Roberts, Jane Thompson and Samaria Tugaga.