Hockey: Draw leaves students adrift of leader

University A and Kings A played out a 1-1 draw in premier men's hockey on Saturday.

The result was disappointing for University because, with other results not going their way, the students now find themselves three points behind leader Albany A, with only one round to go.

The first half was dominated by Kings as it held possession.

However, the scrambling University defence meant that Kings had considerably fewer shots on goal.

The University strikers kept the Kings defenders on their toes as Chris Ashton put the ball everywhere except in the goal.

Todd Gould had another solid game for Kings, breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute with a drag-flick from a penalty corner.

University replied in the 58th minute when Hugo Borren powered the ball across the goal face and James Kennedy managed to dive and get his stick to the ball, sending it past a diving Anil Patel to level the scores.

University went on the attack, keeping the pressure on Kings for the remainder of the game.

Exceptional work from James Nation and some deft touches from Patel kept University from adding to its goal.

Kings is guaranteed third place, and with one week to play University needs to win next week to tie up first place.

Albany A had a 3-1 win over University B, and City Highlanders beat the Tuataras 4-0.

University A beat Momona 3-1 in an end-to-end game in the premier women's competition.

For the first 15 minutes it was anyone's game, with the students sending waves of players on lovely sweeping moves and Momona sprinting down the right wing.

Momona won three penalty corners but could not score, and having withstood this pressure, Varsity central player Michelle Borren sent a great reverse stick shot into the circle, which was converted by Victoria Fuller.

Momona retaliated by racing through the midfield but was caught off guard when University turned the ball over in midfield and quickly moved it into the attacking circle, having a double shot at goal with Charlotte Henley clinching the rebound.

This put the University A team, most of whom had played in the national under-21 tournament, 2-0 up at the break.

To its credit, Momona came out firing after halftime.

An awesome run down left wing by Samara Dalziel did not produce a goal but it created good pressure.

This move was shortly followed by a snatch in midfield by Holly May Taylor and a perfect lay-off for Philippa Tuaine, who neatly put it in the net.

For the remainder of the game Momona created excellent pressure, leading to a number of chances in the attacking circle, but could not complete, tending to muff the final move in front of the goal.

Varsity played to defend and, capitalising on a Momona foot in the circle and consequent penalty corner, scored one more goal through Anna McConachy.

In other games, St Hilda's had a surprise 3-2 win over City Highlanders A, and Taieri beat Momona B 5-0.