Cook Strait ferry sailings dictated a tough playing schedule for the Tasman and Wellington senior hockey sides in Nelson at the weekend.
Wellington B teams had been due to play at 4pm on Saturday, but the crossing was delayed and the matches didn’t start till 4.40pm.
The Tasman Women beat Wellington 3-2 and the men drew 1-all.
They then had to back it up again at 8am on Sunday to ensure the visitors made the 2pm return trip to the capital.
The women again won, this time 5-3. Amy O’Neil, a recent arrival from Canterbury, struck twice, while Rebecca Kersten and the Large sisters, Millie and Maddie, also found the back of the net.
The men struggled against Wellington in the second match, falling 4-0 behind before Ben Harris scored from a penalty corner just before halftime
Carl Quinn grabbed a second goal, but Wellington cruised home 6-2.
A big talking point was just how long had it been since Wellington hockey sides last played in Nelson.
More than 40 years, reckoned one supporter.
The composite Tasman sides will travel to Canterbury for more warm-up games this weekend ahead of the national hockey championships in Wellington later this month.
