Three women's hockey sides setting pace

There is a three-way tussle taking place in the premier women's hockey grade as Maungakaramea, Gilmore Brown Springfield and Chilltech Old Girls make an early mark on the competition.
While still only early days in round robin play, Maungakaramea and Springfield share the lead on the table, both sitting on 10 points, while Old Girls trail by one point on nine.
Although they have only one win to date, fourth-placed Hikurangi are proving hard to beat, with impressive defensive play each week, helped by the experienced Northland goalie Nicky Matthews.
In Saturday's round four at Rosvall ITM Stadium, Maungakaramea worked hard for their 1-0 win over Hikurangi, with Kirsty Nelson securing the sole goal of the game.
In the earlier matches, the Angeline Waetford-coached Springfield side dominated a rebuilding Whangarei Girls' High School team to win 5-0.
"It took us a while to find the back of the net - we were only 2-0 up at half time. But in the second half, we strung a few more passes together and played really well. I'm happy with the girls' efforts," Waetford said.
Kendyll Peters scored initially for Springfield, before Jade McLeod slotted a ball before the break.
In the second half, Peters secured her second goal for the game, and Nikki Wilson and Kelly Dempster added one apiece to extend the gap.
Old Girls also had a 5-0 victory over Kamo High School, who are propping up the ladder. Black Stick Laura Douglas scored two for Old Girls on their way to the victory.
In the men's premier grade, Bream Bay United and Mangapai went head to head in a top of the table clash.
Although Bream Bay came away with the win plus a four-point advantage on the table, their 1-0 victory was hard fought, coach Vicki Gribble said.
"Both teams played structured hockey - and both needed to and wanted to win to take the lead in the championship," Gribble said.
The game was tied up at 0-0 at the break, and after a couple of early misguided attempts, Bream Bay midfielder Josh Rapana finally slotted the game-winning goal, ten minutes into the second half.
"If we hadn't have been so hungry in the circle I don't think we would have won the game. The goal was really worked for."
The remainder of the game was fairly even, with both sides working hard to keep possession.
"There was no space and both sides applied a lot of pressure," Gribble said.
Meanwhile, Dempster and Hill Electrical Maungakaramea are now on equal points with Mangapai (six points) after defeating Currie Electrical comfortably, 5-0.
Paul Snelling scored two goals for his side, while Alan Ford, James Houston and Stephen Cunis all found the back of the goal.