LOOSE BALL: TCOB's Bryce McKenzie, being followed by Massey's Oscar Stewart.PHOTO/250715WCBRCHOC02
WANGANUI'S hockey teams in Manawatu Division 1 did their best against top-four opponents but did not have the muscle at Gonville Domain or the Twin Turfs on Saturday.
The Tech College Old Boys men created enough opportunities to score but did not capitalise in their 3-1 loss to Massey, which has left them out of the running for the semifinals.
An understrength Collegians still remain a mathematical chance of the playoffs despite their 7-1 to College in Palmerston North, although they still played with a much improved effort on the 11-0 loss to the same team in June.
The TCOB women could also throw their townmates a lifeline if they can upset Palmerston North Girls High on Saturday, having been competitive in their outing with second-place Massey on Saturday, losing 4-1.
TCOB men started positively against Massey as Jack Pilet got his stick up to stop Massey's first raid in the circle, although his team initially were hesitant and milled around the middle of the turf rather than attacking the ball.
Bryce McKenzie was also strong on defence, while veteran Trent Williamson came on and was nearly able to put promising attacking chains together with youngsters Ryan Gray and Ben Pilet.
TCOB started getting their own penalty corners, but did not find a way through.
Massey finally connected on either side of halftime for 2-0, before Gray scored for the home side.
But the visitors grabbed the match-winner to guarantee they secured fourth spot on the table.
"We definitely dominated the attack, but didn't capitalise on the opportunities," said TCOB coach Colleen Baylis.
"It's not a game I'm not happy with, our chances just didn't fall our way. The guys from Massey said they got out of jail free."
Gray and Ben Pilet again were standouts and are the players Baylis hopes to build the team around next season and onwards.
Collegians had just hoped to keep third-placed College to a single figures victory, having taken 12 players and one reserve to the Twin Turfs.
They team cannot call on cricketer Jessica Watkin, who is preparing for the junior indoor world cup, while College fielded about five former New Zealand players at senior and masters level.
"We made them work for their goals, they weren't easy goals," said coach Jan Dixon.
Lisa Grant scored for Collegians in the last five minutes for 7-1, after being down 3-0 at the break.
Grace Godfrey played well up front, as did Emma Rainey at centre and Pania Matapare on defence.
Collegians were assisted by PNGHS losing to the HSHC Rebels 1-0, and will now play back-to-back Wednesday night games against the HSHC teams.
First up is the senior team tomorrow at the Collegiate turf at 8pm, followed by the Rebels next Wednesday at the Twin Turfs.
The amount of games being deferred or defaulted because players have other matches at Central level or elsewhere has skewed the current points tables somewhat.
Dixon said Manawatu Hockey have put up a survey online for teams to voice their opinions and she had sent the link to her players to give their feedback, hoping the association can find some compromise in the schedule so there are not so many clashes with games at higher levels.
"This would be the worst year [for that].
"They really need to start shortening the season up. It's frustrating for everyone."
Back in Gonville, a better second half for Techno let them be competitive with Massey, losing 4-1.
Down 2-0 at the break, Techno's Lorette Coburn swept the ball into goal to close the gap.
Massey got a quick reply and then scored again right in the final minute as Techno lost possession on attack.
"Our first 20 minutes we let ourselves down by not being in the game and sticking to what the coach asked," said manager Ian Glenny.
Glenny said coach Mark Lyles "laid it down" at halftime, and the team started to open the game up, playing with more width across the field.
"One of these days, soon, we're going to put two halves together," Glenny said.