A mix of results for Stratford hockey teams, with wins, losses and draws

Sjann Broms from the Stratford B Women's team competing for the ball against Hawera B Women

On Friday night the CMK Stratford Women's A team took on the Hāwera A team.

The Hāwera team came out firing conceding two early goals, which put Stratford on the back foot. Stratford put up a strong performance throughout the game but the final score did not reflect the hard work put in. Hāwera won 5-1.

Player of the day went to Striker Kylee Perrett. The team will need to step up in the coming weeks with some strong opposition prying for the top spots.

The Brian Darth Funeral Services Stratford Men's A team took on Hāwera on Friday as well.

Hāwera started well bustling and disrupting Stratford ball. After five minutes a Hāwera cross into the circle, a clash of sticks created a missed trap and the ball went through to a tap in on the right post.

Stratford tried to create some passing and build pressure, but kept turning over ball at key times. Finally, a move down the left transitioned through Jayden Roodbeen and Scott Williams, found Quintin Adlam overlapping on the right and he slapped home an equaliser.

Hāwera responded with a long bobbling ball threaded in from the right to a free man to guide inside the right post for a 2-1 lead.

Stratford created chances but through quality goalkeeping and stout defending Hāwera held onto their lead. In the third quarter, Stratford put the ball in the net from a PC only to have it disallowed.

As desperation built and finally with three minutes to go Stratford's pressure lead to Curtis Boyde getting a quality reverse shot past the Hāwera keeper. A hard-earned draw highlighting how open the Premier Men's hockey competition looks this season.

On Saturday, the Matthew & Co Real Estate Stratford B Women were unlucky to lose 2-1 to Hāwera B women.

A great opening quarter had Stratford settle quicker than they did last week and the ball went end to end with no goals scored. Hāwera came out fast in the second and despite some great defensive work from Stratford, Hāwera managed to score.

In the third quarter Hawera score again. Going into the final quarter 2-0 down, Stratford did not give up and Luci Haami scored a great goal early on. Stratford fought to the final whistle and was unlucky not to score again, but with defence, they held Hāwera at bay and the game finished 2-1.

Player of the day was Emma Gernhoefér for some amazing defence work in the circle and great clearing shots.

A young CMK Stratford Avon Team come up against the Northern Wolves. A tight first half had the wolves lead only by one goal. A tiring Avon team conceded three quick goals but a well-worked penalty corner and a great strike had Jordan Anderson score a deserved goal.

Final score was 4-1 but a much-improved game from last week. Player of the game was Jamie Anderson.

Le Dejeuner Catering Stratford Broadway played New Plymouth Old Boys.

Going into the game knowing what kind of challenge was ahead, Broadway put in everything they had. Old Boys scored quickly off some skilled ball work and made Broadway work for everything they desired.

Going in 4-0 down at half time Broadway kept their chins up and tried a variety of positional plays but unfortunately, nothing was going to stop Old Boys from scoring further goals. Player of the day went to Jacob Thorn who had an outstanding game in the goal, saving many shots.

Games this week: In Stratford: A Men vs Te Kiri Rangers at 11.00am, Avon vs Te Kiri Rovers at 12.30pm, A Women vs B Women at 3.30pm. In New Plymouth: Broadway vs Northern Masters at 5pm.