Excelsior too good for TBHS in the rain

Excelsior beat Timaru Boys High School 5-3 in an entertaining men's division one hockey game played in steady rain at the hockey turf on Saturday.

Excelsior were awarded several penalty corners but could not convert them into goals.

After 12 minutes the pressure finally told and Excelsior went 1-0 up when Jarrod Parmenter scored from a penalty corner with a high flick into the top right-hand corner.

Boys High then had a period of attack but the Excelsior defence, spearheaded by Nick Boyd, held firm.

After 21 minutes Excelsior made it 2-0 up when Craig Copland picked up a great pass from Parmenter and deflected the ball past Hayman into the goal.

Five minutes later it was 3-0 when Parmenter scored his second goal with a fiercely hit drive from a penalty corner.

Just before halftime Boys High scored when David Small deflected the ball into the net from a high lob into the circle to make the score 3-1 at the interval.

The second half started with both teams attacking but poor finishing meant no immediate goals.

Then, after six minutes of the half, Excelsior extended their lead to 4-1 when Matt Dale scored after a great run through the defence by Gareth Michelle.

Boys High then had a period of several minutes on attack but could not break through a resolute Excelsior defence, especially Hamish Moss in goal who made several good saves.

Excelsior then began to get on top and should have scored two more goals but Nick King hit the crossbar and then Logan Callow beat everyone in a weaving run before contriving to miss the goal.

Excelsior then went 5-1 up when Callow deflected a fiercely hit drive from Gareth Michelle past the advancing Hayman.

Excelsior then eased off and conceded two late goals to make the final score 5-3.