The forecasted poor weather held off for another day on what become yet more hot fine conditions for day two.
First game of the day was NZ Indians vs NZ Pasifika Men and the game started off evenly as both teams eased into their work, probing the others defense. It was Pasifika who broke the early deadlock with a goal swept in from the spot by Adam Kailea to lead at the end of the first quarter.
However, from then on, the NZ Indians started to show their class at the set piece, converting three penalty corners from captain Shae Iswar, Prashant Patel, and Sajan Patel. The scoring was completed early in the fourth quarter by Devanand Bhikha taking the NZ Indians to a resounding 4-1 victory.
The women’s game between the same two organisations was a tight affair despite the final score. Kayla Vao opened up the scoring for NZ Pasifika with a PC strike right on quarter time. The NZ Indians restored the stalemate shortly after half time break with a Jayna Sukha tap in on the post after a Pasifika miss-trap in the circle.
It was two goals in quick succession in the final eight minutes of the game to NZ Pasifika that decided the game. Storm Dolan-Robson and Tori Vao finished the scoring from two penalty corners. Final score 3-1 to NZ Pasifika Women.
The final two games of the day were the clashes between the senior and junior Maori sides. The matches were always going to be a battle with the junior teams having a point to prove against their senior counterparts. Both games were tense and exciting affairs.
The Junior Men started the game strongly and really made the senior team work hard in defense all quarter. It was a fantastic long pass from Billy Miskimmin inside his own half that finished with a goal to Jury Herewini against the run of play that opened the scoring for the NZ Maori Senior Men’s team.
The Senior Men took hold of the game late in the second quarter with two quick goals. Some fantastic stick work and persistence on the baseline by Liam Williams led to the second goal. A minute later, Taimana Iversen buried the ball into the top of the net with an excellent reverse stick shot from close range to take the game to 3-0 at half time.
The Junior Men showed in game one their never-give-up attitude and this showed through again. Hael Pritchard scoring midway through the third quarter had the Junior Men lift for the rest of the game. Wave after wave a red shirts attacked throughout the final quarter wasn’t quite enough. But captain Adam Banks, who had been outstanding all game, finished the game with a screamer of a goal on full time. NZ Maori Men win 3-2 over the NZ Maori Jr team.
The final game of the day was just as entertaining between the Maori women’s teams. The Junior Women played some magnificent hockey throughout the game with some absolutely outstanding passages of play. However, it with the Senior Maori women whose class shone through in the end with a resounding score line of 3-0. Field goals to Hayley Cox and a double from Jade Litchfield was the difference in an exciting game of hockey.
