This year the 1st XI Hockey team has had a rollercoaster of a season. On Wednesdays we play in the Waikato Secondary Schools Competition. Our season started with convincing wins across the board in pre-season games and the first rounds of the Waikato competition, then we faced our local rivals St Paul's Collegiate in the annual Matthew Allen Memorial Cup game. This game is always big and means a lot to both teams. Although the game was a hard fought back and forth battle, neither side was able to find the back of the net and the score remained 0-0. We would end up top of the table at the end of pool play, which meant we would have a non competitive game before inevitably playing St Paul's Collegiate in the final. In what would be another big game, the boys dominated the majority of the game, however, were unable to show it on the scoresheet. St Paul's would grab the lead with four minutes to go after converting a set piece which they earned after a quick counter attack. We continued to pile on the pressure but were unable to find an equaliser and the score would remain at 1-0.

Following the Waikato Competition, there was the Midlands Intercity Competition being held for the first time since COVID. The boys experienced a bit of a dip in form during this competition and the results showed it, with 3 draws and 3 losses from 6 games.

We then headed to Palmerston North for the annual Super 8 Competition. We started our tournament with a convincing 3-0 win over Hastings Boys' High School and a 2-0 win over Rotorua Boys' High School, securing a spot in the top four. In order to top our pool, our next game against Napier Boys' High School was a must win, Another back and forth tussle ensued, resulting in a 2-2 draw, which meant we went through as second on goal difference. This set us up for a semifinal showdown against tournament favourites New Plymouth Boys' High School. After a solid first half, fatigue began to creep in and we were unable to keep up with a tidy New Plymouth side, with the game ending at 5-1. We then had a rematch with Napier in the third and fourth playoff. This time the boys were able to get the job done with a 3-2 win, ending the tournament on a good note with a third place finish.

Lastly, after a two year wait, the boys were finally off to Rankin Cup, which was being held up in North Harbour, Auckland. Our first game was against Hutt International. Eager to make a statement, we opened the scoring only to have the goal disallowed and Hutt then scored a goal of their own. However, this didn’t faze the boys and we came from behind to win 3-1. The following day we would have two games. In the morning we played Lindisfarne College who we convincingly disposed off 5-1, securing a spot in the Rankin Cup round of 16. In the afternoon we would play Super 8 finalists Palmerston North Boys' High School in a must-win game to go through as top of the pool. The game was hard and physical, and with Palmerston North opening the scoring in the first half, the boys would have to dig deep. A nicely converted penalty corner by Thomas Pilmore-Evans in the fourth quarter evened the score, but we still needed one more. With 30 seconds to go, an overhead from the top of our circle, and a hit towards theirs was trapped by Jermaine Chea who coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net to seal the win with 21 seconds remaining.

We were now in the knockout phase of the tournament, where every game was do or die. Up against a tidy Auckland Grammar side, the match was a back and forth affair. We would open the scoring but two quick goals in the fourth quarter put us on the back foot and we then required an equaliser to stay in the game. A well placed penalty stroke by Leon du Preez just before the end of time meant that the game would go into shootouts. However, the comeback would come up short as Grammar progressed on shootouts, 3-1. The following game would also see us lose in shootouts 3-0 against Wellington College after the game ended at 2-2. A dominant 3-0 win against Rongotai College put us through to the 13/14th play-off game against Christ’s College. A very early goal meant we were once again on the back foot, this time, however, we were unable to reply as the Christ’s defence would survive attack after attack and a late goal would seal the game at 2-0, so we would finish 14th. Overall, in the season we played 30 games, winning 14, drawing 6, and losing 10. We scored 69 goals and conceded 48.

The Development team went unbeaten in pool play in their B grade competition with 8 wins and 2 draws, and then went on to win the final 2-0 against the Matamata College Boys 1st XI to claim the Clark Shield. They would continue their success by winning their Upper North Island Tournament, winning all their games, including a close affair in the final in which they emerged victorious after a nerve-wracking shootout.

On behalf of the squad, I would like to thank Mr Smith and Mr Thompson for coaching the 1st XI boys this season, Mr Harrison for assisting with the strength and conditioning aspect of the programme, and Robyn Wells and Mel Ruffell for all their work behind the scenes to ensure things ran smoothly. Also, I would like to thank all our other coaches and umpires, as we would not be able to play without your contributions. Lastly a big thank you to the boys for such an enjoyable season, it really has been a privilege to be the Captain of Hockey this year. Congratulations to all the prize winners this year.