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Hibiscus Coast hockey players helped North Harbour secure bronze medals in both the boys’ and girls’ national under-18 tournaments.
The National Under-18 Boys Tournament attracted 21 regional teams and was played over a week on the three turfs at Blake Park in Tauranga.
North Harbour recorded wins over Hawke’s Bay, Auckland B, Canterbury B, Otago and Northland on its way to a semi-final against Canterbury A.
The teams were locked at 2-2 at fulltime, forcing the match into a dramatic shootout, which Canterbury won.
North Harbour recovered to beat Manawatū in the bronze medal playoff. Auckland A defeated Canterbury A in the final.
The North Harbour team included Ōrewa College students Zander Pienaar and Sean Hunt.
Puhoi player George Hardy, who attends Pinehurst College, was North Harbour’s leading goal scorer. The team also finished the tournament with the best goal difference.
North Harbour’s under-18 girls also claimed bronze at their national tournament, held in Palmerston North.
The team included Ōrewa College players Ashley Johnston, along with Dakota Kitching and Bella Brown-Hale.
The performances of Sean, Zander, George and Ashley highlight the role the local hockey turf in Millwater plays in developing young players from the Hibiscus Coast and surrounding area, team supporter Merv Huxford says.
