Tigers claw their way back

The Tasman Tigers have earned promotion to the second tier of NZ hockey after claiming victory in the tier three women’s final of the National Hockey Championships in Christchurch at the weekend.

After competing strongly in tier two for many seasons, including a win in 2019, Tasman were unable to attend the nationals last season and were dropped to tier three for the 2025 edition.

Coach Denise Lloyd described her charges as “a team on a mission” after the disappointment of being shifted down a tier.

“We are very happy with the results,” she said, “it all went to plan really. We had a good week, won and introduced a few young players to that level of hockey.

“The experienced players did the job. Our leaders such as Rebecca Kersten, Pip Lunn, Hannah Climo, Stacey Curry and Jess Kelly stepped up with their commitment and determination. It was also a good opportunity for our debutantes – Laura Kennedy, Elsie de Kreek, Sophie White, Millie and Maddie Large – who learned a lot, especially about the pressure of playing in the big games.

“Although we scored 40 goals and only conceded six, we obviously dominated ... but anything could have happened in the semifinal and the final where we had to front up against teams we had already played,” added Denise.

The Tigers blazed an unbeaten path through the tournament, then beat Central Otago 3-1 in the final to book their promotion.

They began with a 4-0 win over Central Otago, downed Bay of Plenty 14-0, Kersten scoring six goals, eased past Canterbury Coyotes 3-2 in their closest tussle of the tournament, Kelly notching a late winner, beat South Canterbury 5-0, then overcame NZDF 6-1.

In their semifinal they eclipsed South Canterbury again, this time prevailing 5-2, helped by a brace of goals from Lunn.

The final was a second showdown with Central Otago, who had eliminated Canterbury in a shootout.

The Tigers began superbly, a Millie Large field goal after three minutes putting them into an early lead, an advantage Kersten doubled just a minute later, also from the field.

However, Central Otago fought back, scoring from a penalty corner five minutes later, the first quarter ending 2-1.

The clincher came in the final quarter, after 52 minutes, Kelly slamming in a field goal to ensure the title was heading north this year.

Kersten topped the tournament goal scorers overall, netting 10 times, while Lunn scored six, Kelly and Kate Morrow five each and Laura Kennedy four.

The Tasman Boars men’s side finished fourth in their tournament.

They also carried an unbeaten record into the semifinal.

They accounted for Southland 4-2 in their opening game, beat Bay of Plenty 5-1, downed Canterbury Cobras 1-0, took care of Central Otago 5-2, then came out on top of a thriller with NZDF, the game finishing 1-1 then Tasman getting through 4-3 in a shootout.

Their semifinal was also a tight tussle, Canterbury Cobras reversing their earlier result, edging out the Tigers 3-2.

In the play-off for third and fourth, against Taranaki, Tasman led 1-0 early through a Carl Quinn goal, before the North Islanders scored in the second and third periods to snatch the bronze medal.

Quinn led the tournament scorers, with seven, Kurt Ward scoring six.

The Tasman women’s team: Hannah Hocquard, Grace Davies, Taylor Duffy, Hannah Climo, Cee Watson, Laura Kennedy, Kate Morrow, Pip Lunn, Anna Weatherall, Stacey Curry, Yvonne Boyd, Jess Kelly, Aimee Kersten, Rebecca Kersten, Elsie de Kreek, Sophie White, Millie Large, Maddie Large. Coaches Denise Lloyd and Blair Walker. Manager Claudia Clark.

The Tasman men’s team: Travis Brydon, Bob Foy, Isaac Brydon, Oscar Perrott, Michael Cook, Grant McMillan, Kurt Ward, Dave Melhopt, Ben Harris, Sean Gibson, Sam Young, Jared Buckley, Carl Quinn, Sean Brown, Hugh Hendrickson, Connor Maclean, Jay Quinn, Hogan Ward. Coaches: Paul Jones, Jared Jones. Manager Alan Matheson.