TCOB's Tyler Nicoll-Hylton attacks the PNBHS circle in his team's first win of the season on Saturday.
Tech College Old Boys picked up a real confidence boost from their first Manawatu Premier 1 victory of 2017 and outgunning Palmerston North Boys High in the third quarter of their 3-1 win at Gonville on Saturday.
In the battle to stay off the bottom of the six-team grade, neither team scored in the first half, although both had their chances.
PNBHS were first to get a shot on goal, which was easier kicked away, and twice TCOB managed to get the deflection off the diving keeper to line up another crack at his open goal, only for the PNBHS defender, wearing the clear plastic face mask, being able to smack away the followup flick shots with his stick - baseball style.
Lee Moir and Ryan Gray were looking for an opening, while out wide young Whanganui High School player Travis Bayler was eager to chance his arm and showed real pace.
TCOB could not connect on a couple of penalty corners, while PNBHS had one of their own just before quarter time, but also missed out.
"It was see-saw backwards and forwards in the first two quarters," said TCOB coach Russell Burgess.
"I think we dominated possession from the third quarter, which is why we scored three goals.
"The game changed a little bit once we got those three goals, a bit more aggression came into the attacking patterns of PNBHS."
First, Matt Ford connected with a penalty corner strike and breaking the deadlock gave the home side a lift.
They got straight back on attack, and soon Cameron James, on debut from playing Friday night B Grade under Burgess, was able to score.
Ford got his double off a stroke after Moir was taken down in the shooting circle.
PNBHS got one back for a stroke penalty in the final quarter, but the damage was done, while Moir just missed one final goal opportunity near fulltime.
After two hammerings to start the competition, TCOB can take heart from having a draw and victory at home from their last two games.
Burgess praised the squad showing committment, being able to rotate a three player bench, while tipping his hat for the young James - as Burgess decided PNBHS was a good opponent to make a Premier 1 debut against given they were all teenagers.
"It was nice to see him slot a goal home."
TCOB are on a run of home games currently, as they will take on third-placed Massey this Saturday at Gonville.
Meanwhile, there were unhappy signs of things to come for the combined Wanganui team after a heavy 8-0 loss to College in their last Pool A of the Senior Women's competition at the Twin Turfs.
However, to give context, College are the reigning Division 1 champions from 2016 - a grade that was merged into Division 2 this year due to only three teams remaining.
Wanganui still finished second in Pool A by virtue of beating High School Hockey Club B and drawing with Massey B, who were also both hammered by College - 11-0 and 9-0 respectively.
Coach Colleen Baylis said despite the large score the team still did well in patches, but playing a Premier 1 level opponent means you have to be at your peak consistently throughout.
"It's not as bad as what it sounds.
"Nobody had a bad game, everyone did their best, kept their heads up.
"It's the difference between a Premier 1 team that trains every week and has the cream of the crop.
"They will win Premier 1 this year, I think."
Goal keeper and Central Under 18 representative Jo Bell had a tough challenge with all the attackers coming at her, and Baylis said she was outstanding.
Having completed the first round, Wanganui will now advance with College to the new Premier 1 grade - consisting of the top two teams from the three pools.
High School Hockey Club A, Massey, Palmerston North Girls High and College Development are the other teams to move forward, while the remaining seven teams play the new Premier Reserve grade.
It means Wanganui, which combined the remnants of Collegians and TCOB Women when dropping down a grade last year, are now back facing the old Division 1 regulars.
"We find ourselves in a situation we didn't really want to be in," said Baylis.
"We've just got to go with it for this season and hope Hockey Manawatu can sort it out for next year.
"I'd like to target the Palmerston North Girls High game and make them pay for what they've done," she joked.
It was having less PNGHS teams which meant the original Division 1 shrunk.
There is also a chance for another kind of payback as Wanganui face College Development this Saturday at the Twin Turfs, in a rematch of last year's Division 2 final where the favourites Wanganui were upset 3-1 after a previously dominant season.
However, it is likely to be a considerably different College Development lineup from the side that played that game last August.
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Unlike their male counterparts, the Central West Women's team got off to a winning start in the new Conference Cup with a 7-0 win over Central East Women in Palmerston North on Sunday.
Rangitikei's Pippa Norman was in the team while Whanganui's Junior Black Stick Emma Rainey will join them for the Queens Birthday tournament, as she currently focuses on her Central Under 18 squad.
Central West and the Central U18's will play a friendly game on the Collegiate turf this Sunday, 2-4pm.