Whanganui women start championship group with win over Massey Reserves

Kirsty Parsons was one of Whanganui's five goalscorers in the win over Massey Reserves on Saturday.

The Whanganui Women's have made a good start to the Top 5 Championship group of the Manawatu Premier Reserve grade with a 5-2 win over Massey Reserves at the Twin Turfs on Saturday.

The nine-team Premier Reserve grade was split into separate Top 5 Championship and Bottom 4 Consolation competitions after last week, with Whanganui having finished the first round as top qualifier.

Although in previous years the split has been a Top 4 and Bottom 5, Whanganui coach Colleen Baylis said Massey Reserves, who were in fifth place, were a "reasonable team" and there was a noted drop in quality to the squads below them.

They had previously managed to draw 4-all with Whanganui back on May 5.

"If Massey Reserves had gone down [to Consolation], they would have just gone and trounced those four teams," said Baylis.

Whanganui were only able to take one reserve to Palmerston North for the match, but had matters well in hand leading 3-0 at halftime.

"While it's nice to have extras and a few for the bench, sometimes it's easier with just a couple of subs," Baylis said.

The home side got a reply goal five minutes after the resumption, before Whanganui returned fire for 4-1 and then the two teams traded goals late in the game.

Baylis said Massey were a young team, who could not take advantage of all of their opportunities.

Whanganu's goal scorers were Charlotte Baker, Kirsty Parsons, Jan Dixon, Lucy Skedgwell and Robbie Matthews.

Whanganui will travel again this Saturday to take on College B, who were on the bye at the weekend.

Baylis said College B should have a stronger team than the side Whanganui beat 2-1 on April 28, while they will have to rejig the lineup again with a couple of players away at Under 18 tournaments.

"It is what it is, we go with it."

In the Manawatu Premier Men's draw, Tech College Old Boys had the bye on the weekend.

They will resume their campaign against High School Hockey Club A at the Twin Turfs on Saturday afternoon.