Collegians finish strongly

CHASE HARD: Collegians' Lisa Grant and Techno's Haley Mallinder contest the ball at Gonville Domain on Saturday.PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY 160515WCBRCHOC02

Collegians got to lift their index fingers to denote "one to us" after a strong second half lifted them to a 4-1 win over the Tech College Old Boys' women's team in a quite intense derby game at Gonville Domain.

Mixing in the recently returned veterans like Pania Matapare and Whetu Hamahona at fullback and midfield, alongside the young bolters in the forwards, Collegians made all the early running but could not crack the goalmouth on Saturday.

Michelle Mitchell had her first attempt disallowed, while "Techno" defenders such as Nicola Skedgwell were willing to dive for the ball to stop them getting through.

Collegians service' from their back was the superior of the two sides and Rebecca Baker was the recipient, as the Techo goalie was drawn out of position for her to fire the opening goal home.

Techno's Lisa Grant worked hard to create breakouts, getting an intercept although debuting forward Charlotte Harding, who coming straight into Division I hockey after last playing as a promising teenager, understandably could not capitalise quickly.

Yet Harding soon redeemed with an excellent slap shot after a Skedgwell pass to tie the match 1-1.

Collegians were getting frustrated as Emma Rainey made a brilliant run and fed Grace Godfrey, only to see the ball saved by a diving keeper, and then Rainey got a green card when she just could not let go of a referee's turnover call.

Techno's Sarah Reid also had a chance late in the half but put her shot wide, while Haley Mallinder lined one up which ricocheted off a defender's stick.

Baker also got a green card just on halftime, while Mitchell would have a yellow late in the game, but by then Collegians were making all the running as they scored three straight.

Mitchell got her goal back off a penalty corner, then Jessica Watkin added her own off a PC before making it a double from a stroke.

Techno manager Ian Glenny praised Matapare and Hamahona for adding a lot to Collegians at the back, while the victors capitalised on their breakaways.

"It was a really good game, especially for that first half.

"The better side on the day won - they finished really well

"We came out after halftime and I thought, 'we're in this', but when they went 3-1 up the writing was on the wall.

"They played with structure. We've still got a few weeks away from that."

Anna Symes looked after Collegians with coach Jan Dixon away. Understandably, Dixon was proud of their first win of the season. "The whole team played well.

"Hopefully we can carry it on in Palmy with Marist."

Techno will regroup to face High School Hockey Club Rebels at 3pm at Gonville Domain this Saturday, having drawn 0-0 with them in the HMI Cup on May 9.

The derby proved to be the only Division 1 game with a Wanganui presence as the TCOB men did not make the trip to Hawke's Bay to play the new team in the men's grade.

Coach Colleen Baylis pulled the pin when a series of injuries and withdrawals from the younger members of the squad left them with only nine players able to make the long drive.

It was disappointing, given the team had sat down at Tuesday night training to talk about their goals for the competition, Baylis said.

The team will be looking for a better turnout this Saturday when they play MCOB at Gonville Domain at 1.30pm.