Hockey: Springfield win over Mangapai (pics)

Springfield remain on top of the Men's Northland Hockey standings but an improving Mangapai didn't let them have it all their own way in the 3-2 win.

Two goals to Dion Watts and another to Alex Nicholson earned Springfield three points and senior player Gavin Alison said their opposition gave them a good tussle for the points.



"It was a good tight game, Mangapai put up a good fight but in the end we managed to hold them out for the win,"

he said.

Mangapai's Nic Bean said Springfield were always a step ahead of them on Monday but at least the side is finally playing the kind of hockey they've been wanting to achieve.

"It's definitely coming together for us now and we're pleased with the standard of hockey we played against Springfield ... so lets hope we can make an impression at the right end of the season," he said.

Ben Quayle scored both goals for Mangapai, one from a PC and the other from the field.

The competition in the men's premier grade continues to tighten up with third-placed Bream Bay narrowing the gap between themselves and second-placed Mangakaramea with a 4-2 win over their rivals.

Bream Bay were 0-1 down at the break before goals to Dane Williams and Mike Scott put them ahead.

Maungakaramea equalised and the scores were level until a frantic final five minutes, which saw Selwyn Collins score from a drag-flick before Kenny Johnson put the match beyond doubt.

In the women's premier grade competition co-leaders Springfield and Old Girls both scored five goals apiece to continue their dominance in the competition.

Springfield beat Whangarei Girls High School 5-1 but coach Angeline Waetford said the score didn't reflect the game accurately.

"Although that sounds like a comfortable win, it didn't feel like it on the sideline, they scored first and could have scored more," she said.

Jade McLeod scored a double with Jodie Nichol, Aleyse Emirali, Kelsey Dunn also finding the net.

Old Girls defeated Kamo High School 5-0 but it was the best game Kamo have managed against the classy Old Girls side in the competition to date.

Old Girls were without Laura Douglas but have been strengthened by the return of Elly Miller.

The final match saw Hikurangi continue their up and down season by holding third-placed Maungakaramea to a 1-1 draw.