Hockey: City Highlanders prevail after late flurry

City Highlanders A scored three goals in the last 10 minutes of its premier women's match on Saturday to beat Momona A 3-1 at the McMillan Hockey Centre.

Momona started well while City failed to settle into the Challenge Shield match, played in sunny conditions.

Both teams tackled hard for the ball, and defended well, but despite even ball possession neither team capitalised on opportunities.

City kept Momona in its half, but when a space opened up Momona forced City's defence to scramble quickly and Momona was unlucky not to score.

When City looked in control it let opportunities go astray, and Momona's Millie Cowan smashed the ball away for a great save against a City strike at the net.

It was messy play by both teams, and at halftime neither side had made a mark on the scoreboard.

Ten minutes into the second half, Momona's Neve McLean finally scored the first goal of the match. It gave confidence to Momona, who kept up its attack but it could not match City's fast pace.

With less than 10 minutes left on the clock, City's moment finally came when Annabelle Girvan levelled the score, 1-1, off a penalty corner.

Two more goals quickly followed when Becky Thomas scored City's second goal right in front of the net to grab the lead.

Moments later, a rapturous crowd cheered as City's Emily Periam scored the goal which sealed the win for her side.

It had been a gruelling match, but goals win matches, and it was City who, under pressure, scored enough to win.

City's Tory Dougherty and Momona's Cowan and Neve McLean had excellent matches.

In another result in the premier women's grade, the University White Huskies beat Taieri A 3-1.

In premier women's B grade, City Highlanders B beat St Hilda's A 8-0 and University Black Stingrays beat University Orcas 4-0.

- Julie Howard 

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