Hockey: BOP Indians top showing in Intercity league

Bay of Plenty Indian Sports club defeated Kohekohe 4-3 in the playoff to finish third. Photo/Supplied

The Bay of Plenty Indian Sports club has for the first time in its club history finished in the top three of the Midland Intercity Hockey League.

After a close 2-3 defeat in the semifinal against CIS Collegians, BOP Indians came out on top 4-3 against Kohekohe in the playoff to finish third in Hamilton on Saturday.

Rotorua Aces women's team narrowly lost their championship final to Fraser Tech 2-1 with Aces player Stacey Macdonald the MVP.

In the men's championship final ABER HOB defeated CIP Collegians 4-2 and in the Plate final Rotorua Aces beat Suburbs 5-2.

Bay of Plenty Indian Sports Club secretary Praful Morarji said given the competitive nature of the league the club was extremely proud of their third place achievement.

"To add to this accolade were the achievements of club players Raj Kumar and Sandeep Singh Jnr who were recognised for being the overall top two goal scorers in this year's competition," he said.

Aces player Stacey Macdonald (left) was the MVP in their final loss to Fraser Tech. Photo/Kimberley Wihare

Kumar finished the season with 19 goals and Singh Jnr with 18.

Further to the success of the season was the selection of Sandeep Singh Snr and Sandeep Singh Jnr into the Midlands team.

Raj Kumar, Palvinder Singh and Gurdeep Singh were also selected in the Bay of Plenty senior team.

Morarji said the Bay of Plenty Indian Sports Club was established in 1958 and was in its 60th year.

"The club has developed nicely in the recent years with the club's membership doubling across the board in both hockey and cricket. This top three placing is a huge achievement which is a tribute to the hard work being done by its executive committee behind the scenes.

"The club president Dr Karandeep Lall has been the driving force behind the success of the BOPISC hockey team which also had a good showing at the New Zealand Indian Sport Association Hockey tournament held in Auckland earlier in the season," he said.

Lall has also been appointed manager of the Midlands NHL team which will be playing fixtures in Wellington later in the year.