Gilmore Brown Springfield remain one point in front of Chilltech Old Girls in the Northland premier women's hockey, after defeating Maungakaramea 2-1.
Despite the narrow margin, Springfield coach Angeline Waetford felt her side always had control of the game.
"It didn't feel like we were going to lose at any stage but
when they scored in the last five minutes, I did start to think anything can happen now," Waetford said.
Springfield maintained more possession and territory than their opposition throughout Saturday's clash at Rosvall ITM Stadium.
They also made plenty of shots at goal, but struggled to convert.
"I thought we played really well again, we have good structure and the way we are trying to play is good, but as soon as we get to the circle, we let ourselves down ...we need to keep working on making those goals," the coach said.
The problem of finding the back of the net is a competition-wide issue and not just isolated to Springfield.
"It's something all teams are working on. Old Girls are probably the only team who seem able to put the goals away this season," she said.
Springfield's Jacinda McLeod scored off a penalty corner to give her side a one goal halftime advantage, before Alana Millington backed up with goal from another penalty corner.
With five minutes to go, Maungakaramea's Jonelle Culling found the goal to close the gap but Springfield stepped up the defence and held them off from equalising.
Meanwhile, Old Girls had a comfortable 3-0 win over Hikurangi, while Whangarei Girls High School defeated their rivals Kamo High School 3-0.
Currie Electrical Springfield men had a good crack at upsetting ladder leaders Bream Bay United in the Northland men's premier division, but went down 3-1.
Bream Bay were made to work hard for the win but their composed defence kept them in control of the game.
Keeley Johnson and Ivo Rongo scored to give Bream Bay an edge over Springfield, who struck back in the second half with Cam Hellier scoring their sole goal.
Mike Scott then extended the margin once more.
Bream Bay are seven points ahead of Mangapai and Dempster and Hill Electrical Maungakaramea, who went head to head on Saturday, with Maungakaramea coming up trumps, winning 1-0.
