The Wanganui senior men's hockey team remains in contention despite two contrasting games in the first two days of the nationals in Wellington.
After dispatching the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) 8-3 on day one on Monday Wanganui took the field against Wellington yesterday, going down 5-1.
Wellington were always going to be a strong opponent, with no fewer than five current or former national league players in the side.
Wanganui coach Les Wilson said Wellington also fielded a talented youngster who was a former English under-18 player.
On Monday the Wanganui men began brilliantly, whipping NZDF after a slow start.
Wilson said NZDF started well as the Wanganui lads struggled with the playing surface. But once they were comfortable with the bounce of the Astroturf, Wanganui drew away to win comfortably.
"The grounds here are astroturf, but it has a bit more bounce than we have at home. But once the boys got used to it on Monday they came away with a strong win," Wilson said.
"One of Marty Atkinson's three goals was simply brilliant. He dragged the ball off the sideline and weaved through and drew the goalkeeper off his line before flicking the ball into the net from quite an acute angle."
Kane Watkin also scored three goals, while Jack Burgess and Josh McDonnell netted one apiece. Burgess now lives in Wellington.
Wanganui hung in against Wellington yesterday, with striker Patrick Reynolds scoring in the 27th minute to make it 1-all at the break. However, Wellington proved too strong in the second spell, slotting four unanswered goals.
"It was always a tough ask against Wellington and while we had our chances, including penalty corners, we just didn't convert. We have a bye tomorrow and a chance to regroup, but we need maximum points against the Southland/Otago combined side on Thursday morning to make the semifinal," Wilson said. "We're probably evenly matched, so it will be an interesting game, but I do have faith in the team."
Last year Wanganui finished third in the national championships (won by Tasman) after a long spell away from the competition. Tasman don't have a team entered this seasonbut a number of the Tasman players are in the Marlborough team doing well at this competition.
"I can't remember the last time Wanganui men had a team at the nationals before last year. We had a mix of young and old players who were keen to come out fresh each day and play last season and the boys were keen to come back this year. Auckland and Waikato don't have teams at this year's nationals and they are traditionally strong sides," Wilson said.
Nine teams vying for the national title r and 11 women's teams, although Wanganui did not have the numbers to field a women's team.