THE Whakatāne women’s hockey team have made a good fist of their first foray into the Intercity competition.  

After going back-to-back in the short-and-sharp Baywide competition, the side have opted to test themselves further this year and compete in the Intercity competition, which features teams from Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua and other surrounding areas.

After breezing their way through the Baywide competition unbeaten, the Whakatāne side have kept up their dominant form.

First they defeated Mount Maunganui in Tauranga 1-0. In week two, they were at home to Otumoetai Magic and registered a 2-1 victory.

In week three, they faced a trip to Rotorua to tackle Te Awamutu and came out 4-2 victors, thanks to a double from Dani Maunder and goals to Dayna Hoey and Kat O’Callaghan.

Back in Rotorua for a clash against Suburbs Emtel premier women, Whakatāne found their scoring range to hammer home 11 goals in the win.

Hoey scored four, O’Callaghan nabbed a hat-trick, Caitlin Bridge helped herself to a double and Maunder and Mel Aiken also scored.

Week five was back at home on the bright blue turf and a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Hepi Sports Women, thanks to a well-taken Maunder goal, which made it five straight wins.

A tough 1-0 away win against second-placed Varsity meant a win in their final pool game would seal top spot.

That’s exactly what transpired as they outclassed Rotorua’s Aces 5-0 at home last Saturday to secure a home quarterfinal and top spot.  

In their seven pool games, the women conceded only three goals, while scoring 25.

This weekend, they face Suburbs women at home in Whakatāne.

Player-coach Lizzy Horlock said it had been a fantastic effort to date from the side.

“The team has performed beyond expectations in many ways.

“We have a group of women of various ages and experience who should be proud of the ways in which they have come together to represent Whakatāne on the turf and women’s hockey across the region.”

Horlock said it was a chance for many of the women to step outside their comfort zone by competing in the tougher Intercity competition.  

“This is the first time for Whakatāne women entering into the Intercity competition, which is a step up from the short Baywide competition that takes place earlier in the season.”

She said the team had played some fantastic hockey this season.

“The team have improved on every performance and have had some really fantastic periods of hockey. We are also lucky to have gritty pride to fall back on in games, which has meant we haven’t let in many goals defensively.”

Horlock said some key figures had stepped up when required, but everyone in the squad had played their part one way or another.

“I am expecting the team to continue to play for each other, to do the basics well, run hard and enjoy playing solid hockey.”

On the back of their earlier effort against Suburbs, Whakatane should book themselves a semifinal spot.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 12pm.