Albany Alligators won the men’s competition last week, winning four from four while in the women’s tournament City Highlanders defeated allcomers in also winning four from four on the way to the final against Taieri before this game was abandoned due to an injury in the second men’s semifinal.
The premier women’s grade now has eight teams, including newly promoted Kings United, Southern under-18 and an invitation team from Southland.
In the men’s premier division, a competitive eighth team could not be formed with the withdrawal of University C, so the Southern under-18 side has also been placed in division two to remove the potential bye.
Kings United is the defending champion in the men’s grade and will again rely on the strength of former Black Stick James Nation at the back, and perennial representative goal-keeper James Bishop. Midfielders Campbell Paton and Connor Anderson drive the team around the park.
Last year was the first time in eight years the Albany Alligators had not played in the final. The Alligators have Central NHL player Josh Smith at the back and Malachi Buschl running things from the midfield. Veterans Matt Rooney, Gabe Rawcliffe and Nathan Gilbert add experience.
The Taieri Tuataras will be looking to push on after making the top four last year. Teenage brothers Jordan and Finn Ward are back in the side after last year’s hiatus with the Southern under-18 side. Midfielders Cam Sims and Jason Dungey are likely to be key players alongside keeper Jesse Drake.
Southland entered the competition for the first time last year and finished sixth. A largely unchanged squad from 2016 will probably lean on Rhubeyn Prattley and Cody McKenzie up front for goals.
In the women’s grade, the City Highlanders won last year and a good portion of the squad have moved on.
The additions of striker Willemijn De Bruin, defender Jemma Morland, and midfielder Deborah Yung, as well as the return of former City and Southern NHL players Lucy Harris and Alex Irwin should have it right in contention again.
The Momona side, which made the final last year has really become a family affair, with the three McLean sisters, two Peyrouxs and now two Waddingtons in the squad.
Maddy McLean and Lydia Shirley will control the midfield. The ever dependable Millie Cowan will feature in the defensive line while young strikers Claudia Peyroux and Neve McLean should be dangerous.
University A White Huskies has plenty of new talent such as strong defender Hannah Ostick and speedy striker Ashleigh McNaughtan.
Strikers Holly Jones and Charlotte Arthur will give Taieri some strike power up front, while the midfield trio of Kim Allan, Julia Boothroyd and Steph Mann O’Malley drive the team around the field and Emma Simcock-Smith provides solidity in defence.
Southland is a bit of an unknown quantity but could be more than competitive.
The University B Black Stingrays finished ninth last year and will look for consistency and have plenty of new faces.
Kings United has workedfor promotion but may find the initially going tough.
- Matthew West
