Hattricks were a feature as Nelson opened its provincial hockey season against the West Coast at the Saxton Field complex.
The women were up first, and newcomer Mia Thomson marked her debut with the first three goals in the 5-2 victory.
“I was being a seagull at the top of the circle,” jokes Mia.
Hardly as the pacey 25-year-old Aucklander had to do plenty to round the Coast goalkeeper to complete her hattrick.
“I usually played at the back before this year so I haven’t scored many goals. I moved down from East Auckland to Christchurch six months ago for brighter pastures and now I am in Nelson playing for the Tasman club,” says Mia as she dashed to the next field to see her partner Carlos Kershaw turn out for the men’s team.
His match had started before the women’s finished.
“His mum’s here and it’s a disaster for her because she is trying to get to both games.”
As for the men, like the women, they conceded an early goal before taking charge and winning 4-2.
Ben Harris also scored a hattrick for a new-look Nelson team.
As well as Carlos, former age grade international goalkeeper Jack Waddell and Waimea College midfielder Neco Perrott were on debut for the hosts.
Doing the double was a great start for new head coach Ryan Clements but he knows it will be tougher next week as the two Nelson sides travel to Blenheim to take on Marlborough.
