McKenzie proves ace in hole in hockey war of attrition

Hockey by KATIE FARMAN
Tina McKenzie was hailed as a hero by her team-mates on Saturday.

The Rotorua Aces goalie put both her body and mind on the line to save umpteen shots at goal during her team's gripping 3-2 victory over Te Awamutu in the Intercity Women's Hockey League final in Rotorua.

After arguably one of the most exciting games played at Smallbone Park this season, Aces withstood the pressure heaped on them from their northern opponents to win the title for the first time since 1996 following extra time and a penalty shoot out.

"She [Tina] had a blinder - just her knowledge and leadership at the back there was outstanding," said team spokeswoman and defensive player Jan Nikora. "She just kept us going and took all the pressure off with her constant chatter and guidance.

"She's such a great asset."

The large crowd that lined the sand turf thought so too as they saluted McKenzie, her teammates and the visitors with shouts of joy as they wearily left the field following their two hour ordeal.

After the score was locked 1-all at fulltime thanks to goals by Aces forward Kiisha Gurran and Te Awamutu's Rose Jeffares, the women's premier A final quickly became a game of attrition in extra time with the drop out rule applying.

This meant only nine players initially took to the field before that figure dropped to seven players 10 minutes later - the components of fitness, strategy and ball possession suddenly taking on extra meaning.

As one spectator shouted "it's just like last man standing out there."

Following tight marking and good control of the centre field, Te Awamutu continued to look threatening in extra time when forward Nerroly Hay dribbled the ball into the circle and smashed it at McKenzie who did a dramatic dive save to keep the game rolling.

Minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty corner which was saved by a tenacious Aces defensive line.

The ball was then fed up to Aces forwards who were ignited into action with quick passing and swift running.

Even though they attacked Te Awamutu's circle with vigour, they were unable to penetrate the goal thanks to their sturdy defence. When extra time ran out, the game came down to the final shot of the penalty shoot out to determine Aces the winner - the result a far cry from their previous 5-0 win over Te Awamutu just three weeks ago.

"You can never take a team for granted in a final, no matter how many times you've played against them before," said Nikora.

"It's a final and that's exactly how it should be played."

Ngapuna men made it two wins in a row for Rotorua teams on Saturday after they beat Hamilton's Robinson Sport in the fast paced premier C Midlands men's hockey league final.

Evan Hack and Damian van der Berg found the net for Ngapuna in the opening stanza before the speedy Peter Moke took the score to 3-0 less than a minute into the second spell.

After looking slightly shell-shocked Robinson Sport stepped up a notch and began to control both ball and field possession with ease. David Hannah was finally rewarded with a goal before his captain James Hancox took the score to 3-2.

As the final 10 minutes counted down, Ngapuna put the pressure on themselves giving away ball possession and, along with the visitors, were given a number of warnings for talking off the ball and pushing. This came to a head when Sport's Kane Stewart was red carded for inappropriate behaviour.

Ngapuna coach Renae Hurihanganui said despite the game's final few minutes she was thrilled to take the title - especially because the team was in a redevelopment year and focussed on fostering young players.

"It's also a good way to end the season especially with Rotorua teams coming through twice in the one day," she said.

In other Midlands hockey league finals Tauranga Old Boys' beat Suburbs Piako 4-3 in sudden death to win the premier A title while Mount Maunganui beat Cosmopolitan Otumoetai 3-2 in extra time to take the premier C title.

Rotorua Aces beat Central Bay 3-1 to finish third place in the men's premier B division.

* Intercity Women's Final.

Penalty Shoot Out: Aces 3 (Parekura Rangitauira, Kiisha Gurran, Donna Kearney); Te Awamutu 2 (Diane Rumble, Vanessa Hull).