Whangarei Girls High School caused the boilover of the premier grade hockey competition on Saturday with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over title contenders Maungakaramea.
Girls High coach Paul Snelling said the side had come together as a team to snare victory despite being short four of their top players, who are playing in Northland's U-21 side at nationals this week in Hamilton.
"We've been rotating positions in recent weeks to provide some depth in those positions and in the end it worked out for us," he said.
The side got behind early and by halftime they were two goals down.
It took a great save by stand-in goalkeeper Georgia Beazley, who normally plays for the third eleven to galvanise the side. Girls High broke down field to earn a penalty corner which was slotted by Keegan Parkes. Lucy Shand-Pia then equalised but it was another great save by Beazley that sparked another length-of-the-field raid for Loretta Gerrard to score the winner.
