Old Girls pull the trigger'

ChillTech Old Girls were back into full stride in Hockey Northland's premier women's competition, defeating Hikurangi with a comprehensive 8-0 win at Rosvall ITM Stadium.

Club teams, including Old Girls, had their National Hockey League players back in the mix on Saturday and they were happy to be out on the turf in warm, sunny conditions in Whangarei, enjoying their hockey after the tough tournament in Wellington earlier this month.

Old Girls dominated Hikurangi in attack and defence, passing the ball well around the turf and creating opportunities when they penetrated the circle.

Their coach Alan Lints said it was the best he had seen his side play all year. "It was a really good effort ... I've been trying to teach them to pull the trigger - and that's what they did out there today," he said.

Old Girls led at halftime 4-0, before added four more goals in the second spell.

Black Stick Laura Douglas nabbed a hat-trick, while Jess Macalister, Julie Crumm, Melissa Simpson and Nicola Kelly scored one apiece to share the credit.

Old Girls still trail table leaders Gilmore Brown Springfield by two points after they beat Maungakaramea, bolstered by the return of Black Sticks Anna Thorpe and Ella Gunson, 3-2.

Springfield were missing their national representative Alana Millington, who broke her thumb during the NHL, but is hopeful of having her cast removed this week.

It was a closely fought match with Maungakaramea starting strongly, scoring in the first couple of minutes. Springfield retaliated immediately with a goal by striker Kendyll Peters to equalise.

Springfield extended the gap when Peters, who was named the player of the day, attacked down the right flank and passed to Gabrielle Hopper, who slotted the ball from in front of the goal.

Heading into halftime, Gunson levelled the score again with a classy individual goal.

The second half was a tight tussle and with eight minutes to go Peters found space - this time on the left flank - and delivered the winning goal.

The round robin game between Whangarei Girls High School and Kamo High School has been deferred until September 4, as many of the players were still away at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Tournament.

In the premier men's competition, Maungakaramea defeated Springfield 5-2, while table leaders Bream Bay United held on to their narrow three-point lead over Maungakaramea in the standings when they beat Mangapai 4-2.