PHOTO: ODT FILES A last-gasp deflection from Lily Young helped Momona defend the Challenge Shield for the fifth time this season, meaning they have held off every challenger heading into the mid-season break. Amid the availability squeeze that was university exams, the women in red took on the Taieri Tigers, who were desperate to pick up something heading into the break, but they too had availability issues, which left them playing backs-against-the-wall hockey. Momona opened the scoring with four minutes remaining in the first quarter, when Caitlin Clementson reacted quickest to an excellent crossfield ball. Momona were in cruise control but were given a setback at the start of the second quarter, as the ball found its way to Rebecca Kidd, who through sheer determination was able to force in an equaliser for the Tigers. From there, the ball rarely left the Taieri half, but keeper Alisha Horne made several good saves, keeping things locked up heading into halftime. Taieri improved into the third quarter, and a yellow card to Momona’s Louisa Kotkamp opened the door for the underdogs to push in front, but they did not quite have the potency on attack. They would live to rue that period, as Momona took back control, banging the door down in the final quarter, eventually forcing it to Young from a penalty corner with mere seconds remaining. The win means Momona hold third heading into the big break, behind the Kings United Royals, who held off the University Huskies for an important 2-0 win. It was far from pretty from the in-form Royals, but second-half goals for Madi Lobb and Nina Murphy got them over the line. Despite the win, they remain a point behind the City Highlanders, who proved too strong for the University Stingrays with a 4-2 win. In the premier men’s competition, the University Whales shipped seven for the second time in four games, as the Taieri Tuataras snapped into life with a 7-1 win. After a rough patch, the defending champions have seemingly come right. Hugo Maitland smashed home four in a win that lifts his side back into the top two. With Thomas Meder returning after the break, Taieri remain the team to beat. The Kings United Cobras beat a University Panthers side who showed again they are no pushovers, fighting back from 4-0 down to end with a respectable 4-2 defeat. Concerningly, the Southland Barbarians defaulted a home clash to the Albany Alligators. — Nicholas Friedlander
