Hockey: Two 6-0 wins but bigger beltings ahead: Wanganui

Hockey PHOTO/FILE

Wanganui under-15 boys' hockey coach Andrew Spence has issued a warning to rival teams at the national championships in Hamilton after his lads dished out their second 6-0 thrashing of the tournament yesterday.

After demolishing Tauranga 6-0 on Monday, the Wanganui boys returned to the Gallagher Hockey Centre yesterday to deal to Manawatu by the same scoreline. If they beat Marlborough this morning, Wanganui will head Pool B and play off against the runners-up in a rival pool in the first of the quarter-final matches.

Spence said despite the high scores the rub of the green had yet to go Wanganui's way.

"The boys have high expectations for themselves and are playing very well, but I really don't think they've hit their straps yet. When they do someone's in for a serious hiding," Spence said yesterday.

"Things haven't gone our way really, yet they're still winning by good margins.

"Just wait until the rub of the green goes our way," he said.

Wanganui finished fifth overall at last year's tournament in Christchurch and Spence said the aim was to at least finish in the top four this time, although the boys had higher aspirations for themselves in Hamilton.

Yesterday winger Chris Ferguson opened the scoring for Wanganui in the 11th minute and 18 minutes later centre half Ryan Gray added another to make it 2-0 at halftime.

Just a minute into the second spell, centre forward Remi Halpin scored the first of his two goals, adding the other three minutes later.

Right winger Jordan Cohen and inside left Cole Brasting also scored, to Manawatu's embarrassment.

Spence said the boys were eagerly awaiting the match against Marlborough this morning and the chance to advance in the competition.