Rodney-Otamatea Hockey

27/05/2026

Week 11 and the boys were up against Horahora who so far have had a mixed bag of results, so they weren’t to be taken lightly. Quarter 1 and it wasn’t a tidy start from Rota. Wayward passes and rushing play were the key culprits as well as the boys finding themselves second to the 50/50 balls making it a quarter to forget. A stern word at the break with the emphasis on doing the basics right did the trick as Quarter 2 saw a vast improvement as passes found sticks and an eagerness to win the 50/50 balls was evident. A fantastic passage of play down the right-hand side with a quick ball in found Jamie wide open in the D to slot one making it 1-0 at the half. Quarter 3 and it was a more evenly contested affair. Horahora through some key playmakers pressed Rota’s defence, however it was Rota who struck again through Jamie to make it 2-0 going into the 4th. The final quarter saw Rota turn the screws and kept the pressure on. Finding themselves in Horahora’s half for extended periods of play which ultimately led to Jamie making it a hat trick for the night through a very nice goal. Horahora had the final say on the goal front pulling back 1 to have it 3-1 at the final whistle. The boys find themselves with a top of the table clash against Mangapai B in their next game. One that will surely provide plenty of entertainment as Rota going into the midway point of the competition find themselves with an ever increasing target on their backs as they have yet to come up empty handed from a game.

Thanks again to our sponsors
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Cleaning by Michelle for making this season possible. If you or someone you know are looking to build or need your home or new build cleaned, reach out and they’ll see you right. Keen to know more about Rodney/Otamatea Hockey contact us via our page. Up the Rota!

18/05/2026

Week 10 and it was the second of the double header against Mangakaramea. After a draw in the Sunday catch up game, the boys talked about what went well, what was to be remedied and what the game plan needed to be. Quarter 1 and it was go from the whistle. Rota went to work straight away and applied plenty of pressure across the field, creating opportunities that went close on countless occasions, but like Sunday’s game Karamea held stout in defence. Quarter 2 and it was a rinse and repeat of the first. Plenty of action was had in Karamea’s goal mouth with a number of PC’s Rota’s way, but they just couldn’t convert them into points. Not to be deterred the boys kept applying the pressure and persistence eventually paying off as Stef put one away to make it 1-0 going into the half. Quarter 3 and it was a more evenly contested quarter as Karamea found some rhythm and found themselves in Rota’s half for longer periods of play, however as they have done this season, Rota held strong on defence to keep the ball out. The final quarter saw the game start to open up as the players old mate ‘fatigue’ showed up. This was a test for both team’s defence, but it was Rota who capitalised once again through Stef, who had a snapshot opportunity that defied the laws of physics in finding the back of the goal. A well-rounded and gutsy performance from the boys. Next game up for the boys is Horahora

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Cleaning by Michelle for making this season possible. If you or somebody you know is interested in finding out more, please feel free to get in touch via our page.

12/05/2026

Week 9 bought the challenge of 2 games the normal Thursday fixture and a catch-up game on Sunday

Thursday’s game saw the boys up against Springfield. Keen to ensure that the same start didn’t occur as it did in round 1, Rota came out of the block’s guns blazing. This presented a few challenges in the first quarter particularly with the passing as it was soft and seemed to find the oppositions stick more than what the lads wanted as they tried to force the play. As the quarter neared the end Rota managed to finally string together some passes and put the ball in the back of the goal. A takeaway from quarter one that they applied to Quarter 2 was the intent defensively from Rota as they stuck to their opposite number making it hard for Springfield to create anything on attack. The lads learnt how to pass again and started to put together some decent passages of play ultimately adding to the goal tally having it sit at 3 nil at the midway point. Quarter’s 3 and 4 were a carbon copy of each as the lads started slowly which allowed Springfield to camp out for extended periods in their half earning a number of PC’s, which luckily for Rota they couldn’t make count thanks to some good saves by the keeper. Both quarters saw a goal scored in each by Rota to have it 5-0 at the final whistle. Although it was a win the boys had a couple of takeaways to mull over before Sunday’s game.

Still week 9 and it was Sunday’s catch-up game against Maungakaramea. This was the first time the boys had played them this season, so both teams went into it not knowing what to expect. Quarter 1 and it was a strong start for both teams as they tussled away, it was Rota who had more of the possession and pushed hard to capitalise, however they were unable to find the back of the goal thanks to some stoic defence from Karamea. Quarter 2 and it started much the same, however it was Rota once again who pushed hard through plenty of quick ball and some slick passing but couldn’t break the defence as Karamea pilled plenty of numbers into the D making it a tricky task to get the ball into the goal, leaving it 0-0 at the midway stage. Quarter 3 both teams toiled away, and it was Rota who found themselves on the board first with a bit of a jumbled goal that left the refs having a discussion, however ultimately awarding it. As the quarter went on, Karamea found a bit forward momentum and created a couple of chances which they made count levelling up the scores to make it even going into the last quarter. The final quarter was a frustrating one for Rota as they seemed to have the majority of ball whilst applying plenty of pressure in the goal mouth, it was Karamea’s tactic of crowding the D that proved difficult to break. With a final throw of the dice Rota landed a PC with 2 minutes to go, however it wasn’t to be as the score remained 1-1 at the final whistle. The boys won’t have to wait long for a rematch as they face Karamea again on Thursday for what should be another good tussle.

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11/05/2026

03/05/2026

Week 8 ushered in the beginning of round 2 and it saw the lads once again taking on Bream Bay.

Plenty of talk was had in the changing rooms considering the our first encounter in round 1 we walked away sharing a point each.

Quarter 1 and Rota came out swinging with plenty of ball and possession, however the main issue…., the boys were trying to force the play which led to some easy turnovers of possession. All was not lost though as the lads managed to find the back of the goal ensuring some relief to finish the quarter

Quarter 2, and there was a noticeable shift in Rota’s camp as they found the glove that fit and ensured they starved the opposition of ball by playing a game of percentage. Although Bream Bay had some spells of success, it was Rota who added 2 more goals to make it 3 zip into the half way mark

Quarter 3/4. After a stern chat, the boys knew these were the final 2 quarters they usually drop in if the score line is in their favour……, however a goal early ensured they wouldn’t repeat previous performances. Credit has to go to Bream Bay as they put the gear lever into final drive and turned up the heat, yet struggled to break Rota’s defence. A Quick turn of play saw a sn**ch goal to Rota in the 3rd and then another in the 4th before some slick passing by Bream Bay ensured that they didn’t walk away empty handed. Final score 5-1 to Rota.

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26/04/2026

Week 7 brought the end to round 1 and presented a top of the table clash between Rota & Hikurangi a.k.a Hika. This was destined to be a howdy doody and it didn't fail to deliver. Hika coming off the back of a disappointing loss to Springfield and Rota a rather patchy performance the week before, each team had everything to play for.

After a long hard pre-game talk in the locker room about what was expected, the boys had a plan. Quarter 1 and it was Rota who came out swinging with plenty of forward momentum with well executed passing coupled with enough chat to talk the hind leg on the donkey had Rota camping out in Hika's half for long periods. Quarter 2 and it was much the same, however Hika also found another gear and pushed hard and started to find some momentum of their own. With plenty of back and forth, it was Rota who managed to find the back of the goal through Daniel Fogden who somehow flicked it past the goalie whilst in a rather awkward position. Quarter 3 and Hika turned up the heat and like Rota did in quarter 1, Hika spent a big part parked in Rota's half. Rota's defence though held strong and was up to the task to keep the ball from finding the back of the goal, leaving it 1-0 going into the final quarter. Both teams came out strong and there wasn't much that could separate either side as each traded blows at their opponents goals. The final whistle blew and it was Rota who came away with the spoils winning 1-0 in a very hard fought, yet fairly contested match that was played in good spirits. The boys dug deep and produced a gutsy performance whilst sticking to their locker room plan. A well rounded team effort with everyone doing their part.

Next week's game @7:20 sees the boys take on Bream Bay again. Both teams will be looking for the win as round 1 saw a draw.

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22/04/2026

Week 6 (yes was supposed to be week 5 last week)

The boys took on Mangapai C, so a bit of banter was had before the game due to a few of the Rota boys having played for them last season. Quarter one saw the boys struggle to kick on and find their rhythm. The usual quick ball, quality passing and structured play seemed to somewhat evade them for the most part of the first quarter, which was credit to how Mangapai were playing. Some confidence was restored thanks to Matt Came finding the back of the goal. Quarter two was much like the first, but with a few more glimpses of what the boys are capable of when they do the basics right. Both Jamie and Stef added to the tally through some well executed play to have it 3 nil at the midway point. Quarter 3 saw a leap in improvement and some much better play leading to two more goals, however Mangapai didn’t make it easy and managed to force a stroke their way, which they converted to make it 5-1 going into the 4th. The final quarter saw Rota add one more to their tally as did Mangapai. Final score 6-2. Goal scorers, Stef x3, Matt C x1, Jamie x1 & Daniel x1. The boys did well, however some takeaways for the lads to talk about and ensure are remedied before their next game on Thursday against Hikurangi @ 7:20, which is a biggie. A huge thanks to
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15/04/2026

Week 6 and Mangapai B was the assignment. This was always going to be a tight tussle with the potential for a bit of spice. A solid team talk and a few wise words before the whistle the boys knew what the job at hand was. Coming out strong from the off it was Rota who struck first through Stef who made a darting run across the D to latch onto the end of a fantastic through ball by Jamie putting it into the back of the goal. Mangapai pushed hard to equalise, however were unable to capitalise. In a turn of play Rota found themselves at Mangapai's end with a PC that Jamie put in right in the final seconds. Second quater and Rota really found their groove and put together some great passing with plenty of quick ball, allowing them to find plenty of space down the flanks, eventually leading to a PC which Bruce, cool as ice, slotted off a well placed shot. Quarters 3 and 4 saw Mangapai really push hard and Rota dipped as legs got heavy eventually conceding 2 goals. In a final throw of the dice with 1 minute to play Mangapai were awarded a PC, however it wasn't to be as the ball struck the foot of a Mangapai player. Final score 3-2 to Rota, another gutsy performance from the boys who dug deep and held on.
Thursday night 7:20 the boys take on Mangapai C which will be another battle. Thanks to the sponsors who make it possible
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08/04/2026

Week 4 saw the boys back after a week off due to the weather not playing ball in week 3. Rota took to the field against Horahora in conditions that were the exact opposite to the week previous. The opening quarter saw both teams start fast, however possession often changing just as quickly as both teams gave it away easily through average passing. Both teams had chances on goal, but it was Rota who struck first through stef on the wing. Rota started the second quarter much better and started to get into their groove thanks to vastly improved passing and movement on and off the ball. Jamie added one to his account making it 2-0 at the midway point. The third quarter the boys pushed harder and made it their strongest quarter of the game. Another goal came by way of Stefan Gravatt, being a screamer from just inside of the edge of the D. The final quarter Horahora kept fighting and pushing hard which made sure Rota had to keep working. Jamie added another goal to make it 5, however Horahora weren’t done and kept pushing, eventually leading to a mistake at the back from Rota ultimately giving Horahora the inch they needed to put one in the back of the goal. Final score 5-1 to Rota.

This week Rota plays Mangapai B with a short turnaround to play the catch-up game on Sunday 12/04 against Maungakaramea

01/04/2026

Heres our lineup for this weeks game with HoraHora at 7.20pm
Couple new faces making their debut this week *
After a 2 week break due to a washout last week the lads are keen to get another win

Up the Rota
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21/03/2026

Week 2 and the boys had the task of taking the field against Springfield. Both teams coming off the back of a draw in round one were keen to turn 1 point into 3. It was Springfield who were out of the gate early applying plenty of forward momentum and pressure through quick ball and passing, ultimately converting it into a 1-0 lead. Though an early set back, it did not deter the boys from digging in and start to find some composure on the ball with some great structured play. Both teams toiled away over the 2nd and 3rd quarter, with neither giving too much away as both sides defence held strong. Going into the 4th and final quarter the boys knew they had to make it a big shift as the scoreline remained at 1-0. With signs of fatigue starting to creep in it was Rota who put it into top gear, took their chances, pushed hard and came away with the W, their 2 goals scored in the final 10 minutes. A gutsy performance across the park from all the boys, Goal scorers: Bruce & Jamie
Next week the boys take on Maungakaramea. Thanks again to our sponsors for making this season possible
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Cleaning by Michelle