Hockey girls down but not out

Jessica Watkin scored four goals in her last two games for the Wanganui Under 18 team in Nelson this week. PHOTO/FILE

The Wanganui Under 18 girls are shaking off the disappointment of missing the Top 8 playoffs after two more wins at the NZ Hockey tournament, heading into finals day in Nelson this morning.

Devastated to be beaten 1-0 in their last pool match with Hawke's Bay when a draw would have seen them through to the main playoffs, Wanganui rebounded to defeat the home team Tasman 2-0 on Thursday and then Southern 3-1 yesterday.

That sets them up for the playoff for ninth/tenth this morning against Taranaki.

Against Tasman, Wanganui defended a 1-0 halftime lead until the dying seconds when they scored their second goal to secure the match.

Starting a purple patch, Jessica Watkin scored from a penalty corner while Emma Rainey added the other goal from an open field shot.

"We did have to work for it, they had to lift themselves as they were hugely disappointed after Hawke's Bay's game," said manager Kellie Watkin.

After coming fourth in 2013 and heading to Nelson with the hope of bettering that effort, their early elimination from the top grade saw the girls sit down together on Wednesday night and make the vow they would finish ninth, the highest placing now available to them.

They had to come from 1-0 down early against Southern to tie the match at halftime and then go on with it as Watkin made a hat trick of goals.

Two came from penalty corner strikes while the third was a field goal.

"They sort of stuck to the plan, it all just happened for them," said Kellie Watkin.

Wanganui's final game with Taranaki starts at 9.40am.