ChillTech Old Girls stretched their table lead out to nine points in round 13 of the Northland Hockey's Premier women's grade when they had a deserved 3-2 win against closest rivals Maungakaramea. Maungakaramea opened the scoring in Saturday's match at ITM Rosvall Stadium, with the side determined to come back froma 1-0 loss during the last round. However, Old Girls quickly replied, with inside right Laura Douglas setting up a goal for right wing Hannah Nink to equalise.
Old Girls went ahead in the first half when, after a good build-up in the midfield, Rana Vette shot for goal from centre half and found the back of the net. Down 2-1 at halftime, Maungakaramea's Natalie Child struck back early in the second half to equalise. However, Old Girls worked hard and, with five minutes to go, Douglas sent the ball high into the net. "It really was a good spectacle," Old Girls coach Alan Lints said. "I think we exerted more pressure in the last 15 minutes and deserved the win, whereas last time we played Maungakaramea were unlucky not to win."
Meanwhile, struggling with injuries and illness, Whangarei Girls' High School dug deep to pip Kamo High School 1-0. Coach Vicki Allen brought up five Second XI players to fill in the gaps for Girls' High and said they performed brilliantly. In the other premier women's match, Springfield played Hikurangi. Springfield scored early in the first half before Hikurangi's Jo McQueen equalised and the score ended 1-1. In the premier men's division, table leaders Maungakaramea thumped third-placed Bream Bay 7-0, helped by a hat-trick from Sam Webb. Mangapai drew 2-2 with Springfield.
