Hockey: Fired-up TCOB get first win

TCOB's player of the day Lee Moir, right, keeps the ball away from Marist's Chris Herbert in his team's 4-2 win at Gonville Domain on Saturday. Photo/Lewis Gardner

Tech College Old Boys finally got on the 2014 Manawatu League scoresheet when they turned it up in the second half against PN Marist for a 4-2 victory on Old Boys day at the Gonville Domain.

After 10 straight defeats, TCOB came from 2-1 down at halftime to get physical and put pressure on the visitors, proving a great relief for player-coach Trent Williamson, who scored one of the second half goals.

"It's about time," he said.

Key to success was having a full lineup of players for the home match, with four not stripping for the game, while the side played as a unit which helped them hold it together right to the finish.

TCOB had held their 'team session' - read merry festivities - for this season's new players on the drive back from Levin last weekend after their 3-1 loss to MCOB, and Williamson said it had proved the morale booster they needed.

"We should have done it earlier, because it made the team."

They also had Colleen Baylis available again to run the pre-match drills and the bench.

TCOB initially had some trouble when they tried to clear their half with Marist hot on attack, but it was their veteran Josh McDonnell who opened the scoring after a deflection off the Marist goalie following a ricochet around the shooting circle.

The visitors recovered to score twice and give TCOB that sinking feeling at 2-1 down at halftime, but this time the home team found another gear.

"We got a bit rough and ready and put it to them for a change," Williamson said.

He had a running battle with opposite Ben Gunn, who would later break his leg after "he came into a shot" against Williamson in the second half.

Another Marist player would need 20 stitches after some hard contact.

TCOB's player of the day Lee Moir and Bradley Kendall scored goals, along with Williamson, to give their team a maiden 2014 win while also putting Marist at some long odds to retain their semifinal position.

Meanwhile, the TCOB women gave a solid effort in their 3-0 defeat to High School Hockey Club.

With ten wins and a draw HSHC have been well on top of the standings so 'Techno' co-coach Ian Glenny was satisfied his bottom-of-the-table squad gave their best effort in a game where they were mostly on the defence.

"They didn't bring their strongest side because they had a few players out with the Central Under 18s.

"Our whole team really stood up."

Captain Michelle Low and goalie Melissa Hylton, bound for the Oceania Pacific Cup in Fiji this December, were again outstanding.

It will be a big final weekend of round robin games for both Wanganui women's sides.

Techno will want to beat the HSHC Rebels, that club's 'B' team, and therefore avoid the wooden spoon for the season.

Meanwhile, Collegians will play College on Saturday and then their crucial deferred game with the Rebels on Sunday, with at least one victory likely to lift them into the semifinals at the expense of Palmerston North Girls High School, who have to face HSHC in their last game.