Hockey: Premiers a three way tussle

Northland's premier men's competition is shaping up to be a close one again, with a trio of teams securing two wins each early in the season.

Dempster and Hill Electrical Maungakaramea men went up against Currie Electrical Springfield in Friday night's third round, and the two sides battled out an even tussle at ITM Rosvall Stadium.

While both teams had ample scoring opportunities and executed shots on goal in the first half, neither could penetrate each other's defence, with both goalies doing their jobs efficiently.

The game remained scoreless until midway through the second half when Springfield's Strachan McLeod put the first point on the board by successfully finishing off a penalty corner.

With 15 minutes left in the second half, Maungakaramea's Ian Page delivered a fine field goal to equalise. The goal came after a good team build-up down the right flank, with Page flicking it in to complete the phase.

Five minutes later, striker James Houston stamped his name on the game for Maungakaramea, when he scored from another penalty corner. Maungakaramea stalwart Graeme Bint said he was pleased with how his team was travelling, and he was impressed with the men's competition.

"It's fairly even at the moment, with us, Springfield and Bream Bay all winning two games each. Mangapai are struggling a little bit as they are rebuilding ... on the day, it's anyone's game," Bint said.

Bream Bay United defeated the struggling Mangapai team 2-0 on Friday thanks to two field goals from Harry Lamb, but Bream Bay coach Vicki Gribble said Mangapai had improved out of sight since round one, and they could not be discounted this season.

In the women's premier grade, a hattrick by Gilmore Brown Springfield's Kelsey Dunn helped her team to a decisive 8-2 win over Kamo High School, in what was a dominant performance.

The Whangarei Girls High School versus Hikurangi game resulted in a 2-2 draw, while Chilltech Old Girls were too strong for Real Deal Karamea.

Laura Douglas was at her scoring best, helping Old Girls to their 5-0 victory.

There is no hockey next weekend, but premier grade will resume on April 14 and other grades also start up after Easter.