Tyler Nicoll-Hylton was in form during TCOB's first win of the season in May, and scored a great goal on Saturday as they got their first away victory over High School Hockey Club in Palmerston North.
Tyler Nicoll-Hylton was in form during TCOB's first win of the season in May, and scored a great goal on Saturday as they got their first away victory over High School Hockey Club in Palmerston North.
Tech College Old Boys coach Russell Burgess was grateful for the healthy injection of Collegiate 1st XI players as his team picked up just their second Manawatu Premier 1 victory of 2017 on Saturday.
TCOB beat fourth-placed High School Hockey Club 4-2 on a wet afternoon at the Twin Turfs,with the schoolboys helping plug the thin blue line.
"We had a couple of people out through injury, two more out to Central Hockey commitments," said coach Russell Burgess.
"We were putting all the calls out for players."
TCOB led 2-1 at halftime and then put the match away with two more goals in the third quarter, and while HSHC pegged one back in the final 17 minutes, the damage was done.
Lee Moir got a stunning goal and then Tyler Nicoll-Hylton added another for the visitors, while Collegiate's Tony Gilbertson grabbed the third and Craig Hilbourne followed up his good performance last week against College with the matchwinning fourth.
In addition, Collegiate's James Poiton came into goalie for the injured Andrew Thomas and turned in a man of the match performance, while schoolmate Jack Norman also provided welcome help.
Burgess said HSHC did not help their chances with two green cards.
"Conditions weren't conducive to good hockey, but it sounds like it worked in our favour. "Played in rain and typical cold Palmerston North weather - trying to put us at as much disadvantage in our way as possible."
Burgess confirmed he will definitely be asking the schoolboys if they are keen for another crack this coming weekend against Palmerston North Boys High, setting up the prospect of very rare back-to-back wins as TCOB beat PNBHS in the first round.
"We always felt like we had the ability to get up and get the win with [HSHC] - we had the draw last time.
"There's definitely talent in the squad to play good hockey in this competition."
The Wanganui women fought hard in the final quarter to earn a draw with Palmerston North Girls High on Saturday.
It made for a good weekend for the local teams when the combined Wanganui women's side came back in the final quarter at the Twin Turfs to draw 3-3 with Palmerston North Girls High and their Black Sticks legend.
The 31-year-old former national captain Kayla Whitelock, with over 213 international caps, is guiding the school team this winter and took the field with them.
"None of us minded, she was out there for the good of the kids," said Wanganui's Kylie Penn.
Wanganui had a familiar face back as well, with former NZ Maori and Presidents XI representative goalie Melissa Hylton playing in the field for them.
With regular goal keeper Jo Bell away on Central Hockey duties, as was Rebecca Baker, the team used veteran Michelle Lowe in goal despite Hylton's presence, and Penn said she had a blinder.
"The team only came alive in the last quarter and that's when the two goals were scored," said Penn.
Now with a 1-1-2 record in the Premier 1 division, which has then sitting fourth among six teams, Wanganui can take a bit of confidence into this Saturday when they face third-placed Massey (2-2).
