PNBHS clinical in win

MOST IMPROVED: Heinrich Burgstaller, seen here in June's game against Palmerston North Boys' High School, had another decent game against the schoolboys on Saturday. PHOTO/FILE 140615WCBRCHOC04

Tech College Old Boys played a much stronger Palmerston North Boys' High School team at the Twin Turfs on Saturday than the one they disposed of 3-0 in Wanganui in June.

As their Manawatu Division 1 hockey season winds down, PNBHS's season is only just warming up ahead of national school tournament season, TCOB were beaten 6-0, although coach Colleen Baylis felt the score did not reflect the match.

"I wasn't upset about the game," Baylis said.

"We caught them on a day they took their opportunities and we didn't get ours."

PNBHS scored first through their Junior Black Stick squad member Hayden Phillips, then picked up a goal on stroke and a successful penalty corner to lead 3-0 at half-time.

The schoolboys doubled their quota in the second stanza, with TCOB's best chances from their circle penetrations being Tyler Nicholl-Hylton, who got a couple of shots on goal but could not bypass the keeper.

Heinrich Burgstaller played consistently while Ben Pilet was strong in the midfield and Matt Ford had a good match.

"I told them after the game, when they said, 'stink, we lost 6-0,' "- we had plenty of opportunities," said Baylis.

While they are winding down in the final week of games, PNBHS are peaking as they prepare for the annual Rankin Cup tournament in September, as one of the 16 best school hockey teams in the country.

TCOB will now close their season with a two-game project against College, who will be looking for a strong finish to try and overtake PN Marist and secure the top semifinal spot.

The Wanganui team was to play College last night at 6.45pm at Twin Turfs in a catch-up from their deferred June 20 game, and will then play them again at Gonville Domain at 3pm on Saturday to finish an unsatisfactory season, as they can finish no higher than fifth on the table.

Baylis said she was only going to have 11 players available for last night's game due to work commitments, while team veteran Trent Williamson was also injured.

TCOB men were the only Wanganui team to play on Saturday as "Techno" defaulted their Twin Turf match to Palmerston North Girls High, handing them three vital competition points.

This puts the pressure on Collegians, who are finishing the round robin with two Wednesday games and have an outside chance of finishing fourth to make the semifinals.

They play High School Hockey Club tomorrow and although unlikely to put a dent in their unbeaten season, they may have better luck next week against the HSHC Rebels team.

PNGHS, two points behind Collegians on the table, have their last game against High School Hockey Club on August 10.