Local teams pay for missed opportunities

ON THE RUN: Collegians player Emma Rainey (left) chases down PNGHS' Megan Phillips during the 4-0 loss at Gonville Domain on Saturday. 270615WCSMHOCKEY2

ALL three Wanganui hockey teams had a weekend of missed opportunities in division one of the Manawatu league.

Tech College Old Boys men and women's teams got roundly beaten in Palmerston North, while Collegians also had a Saturday to forget on home turf at Gonville Domain.

Techno men lost 4-3 to High School Hockey Club in Palmerston North after being up 3-1 at halftime.

Coach Colleen Baylis said it was slightly disappointing because complacency was one of the main things talked about at the break.

"We had an excellent first half and were up 3-1 at halftime. We talked about complacency and about keeping doing what we had been doing. But we let two unopposed goals in during the first 10 minutes of the second half and that's just what we didn't need or want," Baylis said.

"We did have our opportunities in the second half too, but just didn't take them. However, in saying that the match was a big step up from Manawatu Old Boys and Palmy Boys a few weeks ago. We are down in the points, but not completely out of it. If we can get points in our next few games, we can be right in it."

Baylis rated Matthew Perry and under-18 rep Ben Pilet as standouts for TCOB on Saturday.

The Techno women's side was never going to win over the classy table toppers High School Hockey Club, but the 12-0 thrashing was a real lesson.

Coach Mark Lyes said HSHC had eight opportunities in the first half and took them, while his side had nine chances, but unfortunately failed to capitalise.

"To be honest we were probably never going to beat them. HSHC have been beating most sides by double figure margins this season. It's a team that includes a number of age group national players and very strong," Lyes said. "Even if we had taken half our chances it would have looked a lot better."

Collegians also posted a disappointing result at home going down 4-0 to Palmerston North Girls' High School. Coach Jan Dixon said several players were unavailable, including mainstay Pania Matapare who is sidelined with a sore back.

"We were a few players down. but I still would have thought we could have done a bit better than that," Dixon said.

"We had opportunities but just didn't take them. The Palmy girls are a wee bit younger and fitter too, which doesn't help. I thought Kate Tylee played well and Emma (U18 rep Rainey) ran all day. I also played Maureen Thomson and she did very well. She is here for a while from Singapore."