Nail-biting end to hockey season | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

The Taranaki men's and women's senior hockey finals left the crowds satisfied and the teams exhausted after two thrilling games at the Taranaki Turf (Stratford) on Sunday.

Both the Stratford men's and women's teams were looking to take wins, and they nearly took home the double, but unfortunately, the women lost after their draw game moved into extra time.

The Stratford senior men's hockey team took their 15th consecutive season win in a heated final against Te Kiri, winning the game 3-2.

Despite remaining unbeaten throughout the season, Stratford expected tough competition from Te Kiri and the teams remained deadlocked at 0-0 at half time.

All five goals in the men's final were scored within 14 minutes in the second half.

Stratford's Grant Boyde opened the scoring with a goal after 12 minutes of play.

Te Kiri showed great defence, but the onslaught of the Stratford attack gave them the deserved extra goal.

In the women's final, Stratford faced rivals New Plymouth Girls' High school and the evenly matched teams battled to full-time for supremacy.

Stratford led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a deflection off a penalty corner from winger Kylie Fredrickson.

Early in the second half, Stratford extended their lead to 2-0 after centre forward Courteney Mellow netted a goal.

Girls' High capitilised on a well-played penalty corner, bringing the score to2-1 and with only one minute left on the clock Girls High levelled the score at the end of normal time.

The game moved into an intense penalty stroke shoot-out, which left both teams with four on the scoreboard.

The second draw meant the game could only be won by a sudden death phase.

Both teams converted their first attempts, but a miss by Stratford left Girls' High to take the win, netting their ninth and winning goal.