By TBHS | Posted: Friday July 3, 2020
What an exciting start to the season!
Last week the 1st XI Hockey beat St Andrew's College 1st XI 3-2 to grab hold of the Connetics Challenge Shield for the first time since 2018. It is also the first outright win over STAC since 2011 for the 1st XI.
St Andrew's took the lead early, but TBHS replied with the next two goals. Ryan Caldwell slotted a drag flick first up and then Sean Rhodes knocked a deflection into goal to give TBHS the lead. The third TBHS goal saw some great leadup play with Damon Johnson creating a touch in front of goal that Lucas Wood finished. STAC then scored with a minute on the clock to make things interesting but TBHS closed out the win to go top of the table after Week 2.
This week saw an epic battle against Christchurch Boys' HS 1st XI that ended in a 2-2 draw, with TBHS retaining the Connetics Challenge Shield and the McAuley Trophy as a result.
TBHS dominated the opening ten minutes but the ball couldn't find the back of the net. Two second quarter goals to CBHS from some great attacking hockey meant a second half fight back had to happen, and it did. Sean Rhodes scored from a penalty corner, and then a further corner resulted in a penalty stroke which Ryan Caldwell calmly converted. Despite both teams sharing fourth quarter opportunities, the score remained 2/2 on the final whistle.
CBHS were the dominant team in most of the fixture and showed they will be right in the mix for finals later in the season. The draw points however are enough for TBHS to remain unbeaten and top of the table for the time being.
Thanks to Sid McAuley and his continued support of hockey. Sid is a director of Coolpak Coolstores in Timaru and his son Ivan attended both TBHS and then CBHS in the 2000's. Secondly, thanks to Geoff Soper who has kindly taken a raft of great action photos to which we have access.
