A heavy game schedule and injuries impacted on the performances of Wanganui teams competing in the Hockey Manawatu club league at the weekend.
Wanganui TCOB went down 5-3 at home to Palmerston North-based HSHC, while Rangers lost 7-0 to visitors College in a game that did not truly reflect the scoreline.
The bright spot, however, was a 1-0 victory by Wanganui Techno against PNGHS in Palmerston North in the Manawatu women's club league.
TCOB midfielder Brad Williamson was carted off on Saturday with a broken collarbone, while keeper Andrew Jurgens stripped a ligament in his thumb.
TCOB coach Langley Atkinson said a disastrous start against HSHC put paid to his side's winning chances with two goals scored in the first 10 minutes and a third within 20 minutes of the first half.
"Unfortunately we didn't start well - we just didn't get into the game early and the boys looked a bit flat which is hardly surprising," Atkinson said yesterday.
"Some of these boys are playing up to three games a week with rep stuff included.
"However, in saying that we did improve in the second half. While we scored a goal in the first half, the two other goals came from heavy pressure we put on their defence in the second spell.
"We pounded their line, but just couldn't quite pick up the deficit in the end.
"Brad won't be playing for a while as he lets his collarbone heal and we're not too sure what will happen with Andrew. It will make it tough for us to make the finals with eight weeks of the season to go."
Atkinson has prescribed a light training session this week and with no club hockey for Queen's Birthday Weekend, it will allow his players to refresh.
Rangers manager Bryce Balsley was full of praise for his side despite their 7-0 drubbing.
"The scoreline certainly didn't reflect the game. The boys probably played the best they have in recent matches and our young goalkeeper Ben Luff-Scott played an excellent game despite the scoreline - he's only 15 and really coming on well," Balsley said. "It's been a long season and like the other Wanganui team our boys are needing a break."
Techno coach Ian Glenny was ecstatic about the 1-0 result from his players.
"That was our first away win and a really solid performance. The team was initially set up as a development team for next season, but we've won our last two games very well.
"The game at the weekend was bloody brilliant and a great spectacle. It was a tough match, but a spectacular game from our keeper Sarah Reid and the goal from Katherine Paul (Peewee) gave us the win," Glenny said.
"With Katherine stepping up and our defensive patterns working well we are a real force. Most of our attack came from pressure on their passes and turnover ball."
Meanwhile, injuries forced Wanganui to pull the pin on their Central Hockey League representative men's game against Taranaki on Sunday.
Atkinson, who also coaches the Wanganui rep side, said with only 10 available players he had no choice but to pull out of the match to determine third and fourth place in the competition.
The Wanganui women have already finished third in the same competition after Hawke's Bay defaulted.