On Friday the CMK Stratford Women's A team played Hawera Women's A team. This was a necessary win game as with no semifinals teams need to be in the top two at the end of the round to make the finals.
Alex Shearman pounced on a loose ball in the circle and slotted it into the back of the goal. The game then went from end to end, until Kelsi Bayly latched on to a great pass and scored the goal of the night. The defence was put under a lot of pressure but player of the day Paula Bayly help the team stay one in front going to halftime.
In the second half the women kept attacking and defending as a whole team unit. Kelsi Bayly got the third and final goal of the night.
Brian Darth Funeral Services Men's A started the top 4 round playing Hawera looking for vital points towards a final spot. Hawera went ahead from a drag flick penalty corner after just five minutes. It took Stratford until half way through the first half to unlock the crowded Hawera defence. Scott Williams feeding Curtis Boyde for a deft touch into goal.
Inside the last 10 minutes of the half Lesley Longstaff made his presence felt with a strongly hit goal followed two minutes later with a reverse shot for his second. A lead of 3-1 at halftime.
The second half saw Stratford show their finals credentials. The midfield started linking passes and Hawera was stuck for long periods in their defensive third. An early PC had Jesse Whitehead score after three rebounds. Jayden Roodbeen scored off a Curtis Boyde PC variation. With five minutes to go Roodbeen fed Longstaff to complete his hat trick and Boyde iced the cake with a PC reverse in the last minute. Final score 7-1 to Stratford.
Matthew & Co Real Estate Stratford B came up against the New Plymouth B Girls team in New Plymouth on Saturday. At halftime, Stratford's Rachel Weren scored their goal from a penalty corner deflection. Stratford worked hard on defence in the second half but walked away with a 5-1 loss. Player of the day went to Jazmine Huston for her tackles and clearing the ball to the forwards.
In Stratford, CMK Stratford Avon Men's Team played Northern Wolves. In very cold conditions, Avon put up a good contest with the game being played in good spirits considering the miserable weather. Unfortunately Northern were a little bit stronger and won 4-0.
Le Dejeuner Catering Broadway headed to New Plymouth again to take on Northern Raptors in the Championship Division. Broadway always knew it was going to be a challenge right from the very beginning when Northern kept creeping through their defence. By halftime Northern were up by four goals. Five minutes into the second half Broadway gained a penalty corner where the opportunity went unconverted but within a few seconds a deflection off a free hit, saw Matt Balks score. Final score 6-1. Player of the day went to Korey Astwood.