Hockey: Hikurangi stalemate

Old Girls' Caitlin Gravatt is well covered by Mangapai goalie Rachel Leckie in their premier hockey clash. Photo / John Stone

With their new-found confidence after an upset win last week, Hikurangi held Maungakaramea to a nil-all draw in their premier women's hockey match on Saturday.

Hikurangi were determined and strong in defence as they weathered an early Maungakaramea attack, before creating a couple of chances themselves.

Maungakaramea coach David Heappey was happy with the way his team scrambled in defence but admitted his side needed to retain possession better and finish the chances they do create.

"To move forward we need to hold the ball more and we need to finish our opportunities," Heappey said. "They defended really well and kept us from scoring, and we had a couple of unlucky opportunities that didn't go our way."

Old Girls got the only premier division win of the weekend, an 8-0 score over Mangapai.

Unbeaten Whangarei Girls' High School notched up their fifth draw of the year, 2-all against Springfield.

With most of the action being in the first half, Girls' High took a 2-1 lead into half time but let in a late equaliser.

In the men's grade, Mangapai scored a late goal to come away with a 2-all draw against a fired-up Springfield side on Friday night.

Springfield came into the match off the back of a good win last weekend and were looking to build momentum over top-of-the-table Mangapai.

In the other match, Maungakaramea were dominant in a 5-1 win against Bream Bay United.