Missed chances in TCOB victory

NO YOU DON'T: TCOB's goal scorer Chad Warner reaches out to steal the ball from PNBHS's Thomas Walshe at Gonville on Saturday.PHOTOS/BEVAN CONLEY 140615WCBRCHOC01

TECH College Old Boys got everything they needed but little of what they wanted out of their 3-0 win over Palmerston North Boys High School at Gonville Domain on Saturday.

Now only an outside chance of making the Top 4 of Manawatu Division 1 if they can pinch some more wins with a good for-against record, the home side could have racked up a big total against the Manawatu schoolboys, but ended up scoring in the first and final minute with little in between.

Chad Warne opened them up with a great field goal on TCOB's first possession in PNBHS's territory.

The visitors got penalty corner after penalty corner in the first half, but either missed their shot or could not latch onto the pass, as the TCOB's defenders gave plenty of added protection to goalkeeper Andrew Thomas.

At the other end, TCOB were being denied by the brilliant efforts of the PNBHS goalkeeper, who often had to go it alone, as Warne, Lee Moir, and Bryce McKenzie had opportunities but put it wide or over the top.

Young Ryan Gray set up TCOB's second goal as his shot clanged off the pole and Tyler Nicholl-Hylton swooped in for the rebound to score.

In the second half, TCOB created many chances, but it was not until they were awarded the stroke after a penalty corner attempt that Mark Lyles raised the third goal right on fulltime.

"They made hard work of it," said coach Colleen Baylis. "Some of the option taking let us down a bit. Defence worked quite well today, but the intensity was crap.

"They could have won 7-0 if they'd picked up the intensity."

But TCOB were left feeling nowhere near as empty as Collegians after their 14-0 thumping by High School Hockey Club at the Twin Turfs.

"Worst ever loss that I can remember," said manager Kellie Watkin.

"We had a full complement, but apart from Michelle [Mitchell] and Lisa [Grant], and Pania [Matapare] came on in the first half, they're all under 18."

Table topping HSHC would not have even needed to employ all of their signature physical style of play - but that didn't stop them.

Collegians will now face the HSHC Rebels this Saturday, but problems with their transient lineup continue as five schoolgirl players will be involved with other sports.