Four wins ensure college survives in cup

Wairarapa College boys' 1st XI hockey team finished a commendable ninth in the Rankin Cup, the country's premier tournament, held in Rotorua recently.
The college recorded four wins and two losses at the tournament.
Wairarapa got off to a winning start when, despite some poor finishing, they beat Wanganui High School 2-1. The best goal was scored by Nicholas Finlayson, who netted from a tight angle following some brilliant stick work.
The next morning, Napier Boys' High School provided stern opposition. Unfortunately, Wairarapa were slow to start and found themselves 3-0 down within 25 minutes. Goals from Aaron Oakly and vice-captain Benedict van Woerkom proved insufficient to redress the balance.
The locals went into their next game, versus King's College, knowing that victory would still ensure a top-eight placing. But they were unable to produce their best, going down 0-3, despite some excellent play from Hugh Taylor up front and Willie Annear in defence.
Wednesday loomed as a "must-win" day if they were to remain in the Rankin Cup next year.
Opponents Rotorua Boys' High School, supported by a vocal crowd, took an early lead but this was pegged back by Oakly, resulting in a 1-1 scoreline at full-time and the need for strokes to decide the winner.
Van Woerkom, Lett, Jackson Kibblewhite and Oakly all slotted their strokes, matching their opponents. The decisive stroke was converted by Finlayson, thereby ensuring Rankin Cup competition again next year.
The team focused on finishing top of the bottom eight teams and got off to the best possible start by thumping Auckland's St Kentigern 7-0 with Van Woerkom netting four of the goals.
The final game was against last year's winners, Auckland Grammar, where Wairarapa found themselves 2-0 up inside the first eight minutes courtesy of goals to Oakly and Taylor. Defensive lapses, however, meant the teams went to the half-time break 2-2 but the locals regained the lead and held out despite some intense Auckland pressure to to prevail 3-2.