With 6 players making their debut and the newly appointed Head of Hockey Simon Norton as coach it was the start of a new era.
From the outset King’s dominated possession and opened the scoring in the first quarter with a penalty corner strike from Karl Wallace (Year 13, Parnell). In the second quarter and against the run of play Takapuna equalised also from a penalty corner but late in the same quarter King’s stamped their authority on the game with two further goals from Karl Wallace (penalty corner) and a field goal from debutant Ralph Farrands (Year 10, Averill) . Takapuna came back into contention in the third quarter with their second goal to make it 3-2 and it wasn’t till late in that quarter that Tom Lindberg (Year 13, Greenbank) maintained a 2 goal buffer with a well taken field goal. With the fitness levels falling away in both teams, space opened up and Kings created numerous chances but couldn’t get past the very good Takapuna goalkeeper. Further goals from reverse stick shots by Scott Illerbun (Year 11, School) and Karl Wallace (hat trick) saw King’s home comfortably in the end 6-2.
Next week the team have their first home game v St Peter’s College – 5.05pm on Wednesday 11th May.
Mark Johnston
First XI Manager
