24/08/2026
STILL SMILIN'
The Forest360 TCOB Premier Reserve lads did the club proud on Saturday but missed out on the silverware in sudden death shootouts in the final of the 2026 InspireNet Hockey Manawatu Incorporated Premier Reserve Club Competition.
If you missed out on catching the action live, here's how it all went down....
Taking on Palmerston North College Hockey Club, the lads were down 0-2 at the end of the 1st quarter, but it wasn't the same feel as the week before. A goal-line save from a PC by Matt Perry set the tone and the forward line of Luke Kirk, Ali Watkins & Brad Williamson created a number of attacking opportunities, showing the lads were not going away without a fight
The 2nd quarter brought more end-to-end action, and while Jonty Gaisford was making saves at the defensive end, Harry Green made sure his name went on the scoresheet after 5minutes, pulling the score back to 1-2.
At half time the message was just keep playing as a team and use the width and length of the field - something the lads have done well all year
College extended their lead to 1-3 6minutes into the 3rd Quarter, but the lads kept the faith and Brad Williamson scored with 10seconds left on the clock making the score 2-3 heading into the last quarter
Entering the 4th 1/4 the lads were determined not to let up the pressure, and Hugo Cox found the back of the net 3minutes in, taking the score to 3-3. College put the pressure on the TCOB defensive unit, but despite numerous penalty corners, they lads were resolute in not letting them find a way through.
And that's how it stayed meaning the lads went to penalty shoot-out to determine who would get their name on the trophy
But as with regular time, nothing could separate the teams at the end of the first round of shoot-outs - so sudden-death it was. While the first round was even at 1-1 the second round wasn't to be and College took the win with the end score being 3-3(4-5)
And so, the 2026 season comes to a close, but while Saturday games have finished, still have plenty more to come before we kick back into action for 2027!
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