University A players show their delight at beating Taieri A
3-0 in the Dunedin premier women's hockey final at the
McMillan Centre on Saturday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
University A celebrated a rare double when it claimed
both men's and women's titles in premier club finals on
Saturday.
Both games were thrillers, with University A beating strong
favourite Albany A 3-2 in the men's final and University
beating Taieri A 3-0 on strokes after the women's final
finished 0-0.
The women's final was a cracking game, even though neither
side could score in regular or extra time.
Both teams lifted for the final, particularly at the
defensive ends, which resulted in several penalty corners
going unconverted.
The game began with University attacking down the right side
and central Taieri defender Susan Dunn placing long
clearances to relieve pressure.
It then became a midfield battle, with Taieri's Kirsty Cole
and Hayley Bayne working hard to cancel out the University
forwards.
University maintained plenty of possession, passing around
the backs in a controlled and careful way.
Anna Chapman ran the ball well, showing great skills to win a
penalty corner that was not converted.
After half-time, the students created a good scoring
opportunity but the shot was struck outside the circle.
Taieri captain Vicky Clark-Joyce went off injured and
University had three penalty corners in a row, but Taieri
defended with resolve.
Reactions enabled goalkeeper Holly McDiarmid to make two
magnificent saves before she stopped a controversial stroke
to keep the game scoreless at full-time.
Taieri had a good opportunity to score a golden goal in extra
time but a penalty corner went astray.
The game went to strokes, and University proved more
accurate.
The men's final was an intense encounter that featured
end-to-end hockey from the first whistle.
The teams traded penalty corners before University hit the
lead 10 minutes before half-time.
Having been awarded a penalty corner, Richard Story took the
initial shot, which was blocked, but Chris Ashton drove the
rebound into the top of the net.
After the break, University added a second goal through Scott
Fitzpatrick, who collected a rebound off Albany goalkeeper
Myles Roberts' pads.
Michael Smail collected a yellow card for cleaning Ashton out
of a penalty corner, and from there the game slowly turned
towards Albany.
Rod Rzepecky scored from an Albany penalty corner, then
minutes later Callum Bailey levelled the scores with a
brilliantly executed tumbling reverse shot past James
Cocking.
From that point, both teams threw everything at each other.
University piled on the pressure through the midfield and
Albany gained ground with piercing runs and accurate overhead
passes.
The students eventually broke the deadlock through Myles
Houlahan, who connected with an Ashton cross to score the
winning goal for University.
In the other men's finals, Kings B beat Albany B 4-2 in the
premier reserve grade, while City Highlanders B beat Albany C
1-0 in the senior grade.
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