By JARED DENNIS jared.dennis@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
It's semi-finals time in Central League hockey and both Wanganui sides in action have a chance for retribution. In the men's competition TCOB A take on HSHC, whom they lost to in the finals of last year's Central League.
Collegians play College A in their semi-final, who are the team that beat the Wanganui side at the same stage of the women's competition last year.
TCOB coach Shane Newell said following last year's final result he expected this match to be the "clincher'.
"They are a very similar team to us," he said.
"We need to go out and try to dominate them in the first half like we did last week.
"Unfortunately we went a bit flat last week, which we can't afford to do this time. We have to keep the pressure on and not let them back into the game."
In their two meetings in this year's Manawatu league the first match was drawn 1-1 and HSHC won the second 3-1.
TCOB go into the semi with a close to full strength side available, with the only exceptions being Ant Cooper, who has a hamstring strain but is likely to play, and Andrew Fellingham, who has missed the past few weeks due to injury.
"The guys are more than up for it," Newell said.
"Full credit has to be given to Trent Williamson who has kept the boys going at trainings while I have been away."
If they can play like they did in the first half last week Newell is confident of a good result.
The winner of the semi final goes on to play the winner of the match between Akina Rovers and Varsity A, in Palmerston North next weekend.
Like the men, the Collegians side in the women's competition are concentrating on their semi-final and not looking further a field.
Kirsty Wilson said she expected a tough game from the College side, as they will be wanting at least one Palmerston North team in the finals.
This is because Akina Rovers from Napier topped the women's table and are expected to go through from the other semi.
Wilson said she the College side are likely to be at full strength, which means Black Sticks players Tara Drysdale and Moira Senior will be playing.
"We need to be a lot tighter in defence," Wilson said.
"We need to keep an eye on the their fast ones up front, especially their New Zealand players."
In previous meetings this season Collegians won the most recent 4-2, while they have also had a 2-2 draw and a 4-3 loss.
With the Collegians side at full strength, a hard-fought game is likely when it begins at 12.30pm tomorrow. The men's game is also at Gonville Domain and starts at 2pm.
Local hockey sides seek retribution in semi-finals
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