1st XI Hockey

Due to COVID-19, unfortunately the usual pre-season ANZAC tournament hosted by St Paul's Collegiate was cancelled, meaning that the selection process for the team was a much more complicated process. The cancellation of this tournament was followed by the news that the National secondary school tournament, Rankin Cup, was also cancelled. The decision was made that the Super Eight hockey tournament will be played during tournament week in Tauranga.

The 2020 1st XI Hockey Team is Ben Loudon (Captain), Malaki Masoe, Finn Hannan, Matthew Dellow, Finn O' Malley, Jay Ranchhod, William Morgan, Blake Rhodes-Robinson, Connor Managh, Zach Carline, Perry Smith, Jamie Thompson, Carter Rhodes-Robinson, Hael Pritchard, Zac Buinimasi, Ben Havord, Macca Williams. Coach is Mr Blanks and Mr Davidson is the team manager.

This year, the 1st XI Hockey Team are playing in the Manawatu Hockey premier reserve competition on Saturdays, and the Intercity secondary school competition played on Wednesdays.

In the premier reserve competition, the 1st XI was placed second on the table after the first round allowing them to play for a spot in the premier competition. At the time of this publication the result of the match against Whanganui played on Saturday 15 August will determine whether this becomes a reality. Results to date are:

High School Hockey Club B – PNBHS win 6-0

Marton Hockey Club – PNBHS win 4-3

Massey Premier Reserve – PNBHS loss 1-2

College Premier Reserve – PNBHS win 4-0

Marist Sabers – PNBHS win 2-0

Manawatu College Old Boys' (Div 1) – PNBHS loss 1-2

Massey Premier Reserve – PNBHS win 5-0

The Intercity secondary school competition is played between schools in Palmerston North, Feilding, Masterton, Whanganui and Levin. This competition is played on a Wednesday night and has meant plenty of travel with only two games being played at home. Results to date are:

Cornerstone Christian School – PNBHS win 7-0

Rathkeale College – PNBHS win 4-1

Feilding High School – PNBHS win 4-0

Whanganui Collegiate – PNBHS win 4-1

Whanganui High School – PNBHS win 9-2

The 1st XI has Wairarapa College and Waiopehu College left to play before heading to playoff matches and finals.

The PNBHS traditional inter-school matches have continued to be played with the 1st XI winning each of these matches. Results are:

Wellington College – PNBHS win 6-1

Rongotai College – PNBHS win 3-0

New Plymouth Boys' High School – PNBHS win 6-1

Overall this has been an outstanding season for the 1st XI Hockey Team as they build for the Super Eight Tournament. Although disappointing that the Rankin Cup tournament has been cancelled, the team can take some solace in the fact that they are playing some outstanding hockey. Here's hoping for some continued success!