In only their second year in the Midlands Intercity Hockey League, Katikati Cougars have qualified for the women's final to be played this Saturday.
On Saturday, Katikati defeated Fraser Tech in Hamilton in a close-fought semifinal while at Ngatea Thames Valley United came from behind to beat CMS Mt Maunganui 3-2 for the other place in the women's final.
The Katikati win was far from easy. Fraser Tech scored first and piled the pressure on throughout the first half. Soon after the break, former South African representative Franki Traini scored the equaliser for Katikati, then 15 minutes later Rebecca Kersten fired a superb backhand shot high into the left corner of the Tech goal.
Fraser Tech fought fiercely for another goal to keep them in the game and came awfully close when a shot hit the edge of the goalpost and rebounded out. However Katikati defended with grit and determination until the final hooter to win by 2-1.
It was a similar story at Ngatea where Mt Maunganui were first to score early in the game. Then last year's champions Thames Valley strung together their slick passing moves to score twice before the interval.