1st XI Hockey v Whanganui Collegiate - Wednesday 24 June
The 1st XI played Whanganui Collegiate on Wednesday night in a non-competition fixture. PNBHS was forced to play with a smaller squad due to injuries to Malaki Masoe and Hael Pritchard.
From the outset, PNBHS appeared to be the more skilful team with our attacking players finding room to eliminate multiple defenders regularly, however, overall team play and structure were very poor. This resulted in a disastrous standard of hockey with PNBHS and Collegiate essentially playing ping pong for half an hour.
Finn O’Malley scored an impressive individual goal before half time, but it was disallowed. Ben Havord successfully opened the scoring with an excellent solo effort just before the break.
Following the half time break, PNBHS cleaned up their act and begun to play the standard of hockey expected of them. Despite the change in momentum, Collegiate managed to score an equaliser in the third quarter. As the match progressed, the 1st XI's more careful and constructive approach began to pay off as they earned numerous penalty corners. Zac Buinimasi efficiently converted two of these to make the final score 3-1 to PNBHS.
Jay Ranchhod stood out in the second half, offering PNBHS a calm and composed option in the middle of the park
Despite winning, it was a frustrating day for the 1st XI as the head into the first competition match on Saturday.
