Hockey: City prevails in hard game

Sarah Allen (left), of City Highlanders A, is challenged by Kezia Taylor, of University White...
Sarah Allen (left), of City Highlanders A, is challenged by Kezia Taylor, of University White Huskies, during a Dunedin women’s premier 1 club hockey match at the McMillan Hockey Centre on Saturday. City Highlanders won 3-0. Photo by Gregor Richardson.

Despite controversy, the City Highlanders A beat the University White Huskies 3-0 on Saturday at the McMillan The match, played in mild conditions, was one of the toughest matches this season, with no time for a breather.

It was fast, vigorous, at times controversial, and University was unhappy about some of the referee decisions.

Both teams smashed the ball into their territory, and defended with grit and determination.

Ball possession was even, but both teams failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

Finally a break came for City which was awarded a controversial stroke after the ball hit a student player on the foot, right in front of the goal.

Leah Butt converted the stroke to give her team a 1-0 lead over University.

Shortly after, City's Finella Sweeney found a gap in University's defence after a collision between the University's goalie and a City player when both slid for the ball.

Sweeney scored City's second goal to take the lead to 2-0 at halftime.

Shortly after the start of the second half, the students were awarded a penalty corner and were unlucky not to convert it into points.

Play continued to move up and down the field as players fought hard for ball possession.

City was awarded a penalty corner, despite a protest against the referee's decision by University's Tori Vao.

City missed that shot, and a second attempt against an excellent student defence.

A joint effort by City's Janine Joyce, and Sarah Thomas yielded the final goal of the match as Thomas slotted the ball into the net to cement its lead to 3-0 over University.

It was a tough match, and while University looked deflated after the loss, with the finals in sight another opportunity for the two rivals may well be ahead.

A green card was given to University's Ashley McNaughton.

University's Tori Vao, and City's Joyce both had excellent games.

In another result in the premier women's grade, Momona A beat Taieri A 6-0.

In premier women's B grade, City Highlanders B beat Kings United A 4-2, Momona B beat University Black Stingrays 3-2 and St Hilda's A beat the University Orcas 2-0.

- Julie Howard 

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