Hockey: TCOB still alive in Manawatu Division 1

TCOB's Lee Moir clears the PNBHS keeper to score one of his two goals at Gonville Domain on Saturday.

Tech College Old Boys have maintained their lifeline in Manawatu Division 1 as they moved back up to fourth spot with their 3-2 victory over winless Palmerston North Boys High at Gonville on Saturday.

Having back-to-back victories since returning to home fixtures after a gruelling run of five away games, TCOB climbed one point ahead of High School Hockey Club, who had a 5-2 loss to the undefeated College at the Twin Turfs.

With the top 3 of College, Massey and Marist now set in concrete, the final semifinal spot will be decided this coming weekend as HSHC finish the round robin against PNBHS, while TCOB have the uphill challenge of hosting second-placed Massey.

"We stay alive for another week," said coach Russell Burgess.

His squad, now reinforced with a four player bench including the rare luxury of a second goalie, were eager to attack the schoolboys from the opening whistle.

"It showed in the first few minutes when they got up and really put the pressure on the opposition.

"It was a far more closely marked and faster game than last week."

The opening goal by Ryan Gray got the blood up, with the team's franchise attacker Lee Moir then getting a double to see them out to a 3-1 advantage, before PNBHS scored late to make a more tense finish than should have been necessary.

Burgess said the visitors tried to stack their defence and then counterattack when they could, so TCOB had the momentum for most of the contest.

They hit the back of the goal a fourth time but it was correctly disallowed for a prior infringement, while Moir had a number of other chances he could not quite convert.

"We missed 2-3 goals that were there for the taking," said Burgess.

The match was played in pretty good spirits, although PNBHS received one green card for repeated infringement.

The returning Craig Ritani and fellow veteran Callum Wilbur were standouts, as was William Reid on the right wing.

"It was a hard one to pick - player of the day," said Burgess.

Ultimately, Ritani got the gong as further encouragement to be available for TCOB's vital clash against Massey this weekend at Gonville.

"All things being equal, we should be at full strength," said Burgess.

"If we play well, we'll be competitive."

The squad is expecting Kane Watkin to return, while Matt Ford will be back from injury.

Meanwhile, the combined Wanganui women's team are now very much on the outside looking in for their Division 1 semifinals after their third straight loss, going down 3-0 to third-placed Massey at the Twin Turfs.

Having tied 2-2 with Massey in their previous encounter, this time the home side scored a goal per quarter from the second period onwards - the first when Wanganui was a player down after veteran Michelle Low received a green card for a dubious tackle.

"We played really well, I thought we were unlucky, to have a few opportunities and not get them," said coach Colleen Baylis.

As she has for most of the competition, Jo Bell was the difference from a blowout score with another good game in-goal, while Whanganui High School's Olivia Smith had a fine match which showcased her development this season.

Wanganui will complete the round robin as it currently stands against fourth-placed Palmerston North Girls High at the Twin Turfs on Saturday.