Hockey: Hikurangi cap a memorable season

Hikurangi player Marika Curry challenges Charlotte Coltherst of Old Girls during the A reserve final.PHOTOS/TANIA NEWMAN

First half goals to Hikurangi's Karen Brown and Sarah Morris were enough for them to secure the reserve A women's hockey title over Old Girls.

Hikurangi went into the game as favourites, after finishing the round robin in top spot, with their coach Tony Organ believing his team could win.

"These guys deserve it ... they always believed in it from the get-go so it was just a matter of getting it done," Organ said after Saturday's match.

Hikurangi applied early pressure to the Old Girls defence and it didn't take long for them to turn it into points, with Brown converting a penalty corner to go one ahead within the first 10 minutes.

Old Girls were then chasing their rivals and fought hard to attack, but the Hikurangi defence held strong and composed.

Both team enjoyed periods of possession and were able to make advances up the field but neither were allowed many opportunities in the attacking circle.

It was late in the first half when Hikurangi did get a chance close to goal and were able to extend their lead when Morris converted from a goal mouth scramble.

Old Girls came out fighting in the second half but Hikurangi used their strength on the ball to retain possession and slow the game down.

Organ praised his team's season after the match, saying consistency and team work had taken them all the way.

"We've had one loss all season so it was a matter of being consistent and staying focussed [in the final].

"This whole season has been about team work ... we've got a lot of superstars but it's about being a team and trying to come together as a team."

Maungakaramea finished in third in the reserve A competition after they beat Whangarei Girls' High School 5-1 on Friday night.