Collegians draw after rark up'

A halftime "rark up" by coach Jan Dixon had the desired effect on Collegians in Saturday's Manawatu division 1 clash with High School Hockey Club.

After a poor first half at the Gonville Domain, Collegians were two goals down to the Palmerston North team - and it could have been more.

Dixon sensed a few heads were already going down and delivered some choice words which perked up the Wanganui team's effort.

Better passing and an improved workrate paid dividends and a Collegians lineup, comprising mainly schoolgirls, fought back for a 2-2 draw, and could even have won the game.

In the men's division 1, Tech Old Boys headed to Levin and, once they had got used to the slightly different playing surface, dealt to Manawatu College Old Boys 7-3.

However, it all started badly for the visitors who quickly found themselves two goals adrift.

"We made a slow start and conceded early goals but, importantly, we didn't panic," said coach Les Wilson.

Getting into their stride, Tech scored twice in two minutes and by halftime were up 4-2.

A penalty stroke by Trent Williamson at the start of the second half looked to have secured the points but MCOB pulled one back before two more Tech goals wrapped it up.

Alex Watkins was the day's hotshot with a hat-trick and Kane Watkin scored two before joining the Central under-21 team for this week's national tournament in Hamilton. Williamson's penalty stroke and a neat field goal from Bryce McKenzie accounted for the rest of the scoring.

Rangers headed to Palmerston North for their division 1 fixture and went down 5-3 to PNBHS. Rangers goals came from Martin Atkinson (2) - another Wanganui youngster in the national under-21 tournament this week - and Patrick Reynolds.

In the Manawatu division 2, Marton lost 3-1 to Massey.