A waterlogged surface was the bane for everyone on Saturday.
A finely poised Challenge Shield was called after three quarters between City Highlanders and the Taieri Tigers.
Sitting in fourth, Taieri had fond memories of taking the win in week three against the ladder leader, City.
City scored with Jess Faulks from its first penalty corner, getting itself off to the best start.
Unable to clear their own half, the Tigers were kept under immense pressure for much of the first quarter.
A brilliant set-up by Lily Bentall and the finish by Meg Vogel after a Highlanders poor pass levelled the teams up approaching the end of the first quarter.
Sarah Thomas scored for City with a lovely tap into goal and gave it back the lead as the second quarter followed the same pattern, with City camped in Tigers’ territory.
A close penalty corner in the shadows of halftime to City proved to be the only other chance on goal as the teams went to oranges with City up 2-1.
Conditions became progressively worse as the rain kept falling, resembling a lake not a hockey turf.
The game was called at three quarter-time, the win going to City 2-1, which retains the Challenge Shield.
Player health and safety was at the forefront of the administrators’ minds.
Because of the weather, the University Huskies v Momana game was postponed.
Kings United beat the Uni Stingrays 3-2, Maddie Peel registering a hat trick for Kings. Charlotte Idiens and Olive Cornwall scored for the Stingrays.
Friday night was another student derby and the Blue Whales took the victory 10-1.
Henry Will scored a hat trick, George Wood and Thomas Hatherly doubles, plus goals to Luke Buxton, Michael Lambourne and Jacob Bell-Kake. Jack Pryde scored for the Black Panthers.
In a tight game, King’s Men beat Albany on penalties 2-1 after it had been 2 all at the end of regulation time.
In the final game of the round, Taieri Tuataras beat the Uni Blue Whales 5-2.
For the Tuataras, James Nicolson scored a double and there were goals for Finn Ward, Cam Sims and Matt West. The students scored through Henry Will and Thomas Hatherly.
- Jack Ward
