Malaita and Guadalcanal provincial hockey teams are the champions of the 2016 Solomon Games hockey competition.
Malaita women’s hockey team claimed the top spot in their category after narrowly edging Temotu 3-2 in a stunning grand final at the KGVI hockey grounds on Thursday.
Guadalcanal men’s team also claimed the gold medal in their category after beating Choiseul 3-0 in the men’s grand final.
It was a revenge match for Guale who went down to Choiseul 2-1 in their pool match.
Guadalcanal head coach Jack Donga said his team’s victory was achieved because of cooperation displayed by his players.
“My players learned from their mistake and played according to our game plan in this final,’’ he said.
“In fact it’s all about listening, and I would like to praise my boys for paying attention to my instructions,’’ he added.
Junior Ofaio launched the opening goal for Guadalcanal mid-way through the first quarter.
Shortly after Ofai’s opening goal, Choiseul made four goal scoring attempts but was denied by Guadalcanal goal keeper who was superb in manning his side’s goal mouth.
Choiseul did came back strong in the second quarter but was given no rooms to utilize their chances.
Instead they were further punished for not utilizing their golden chances.
Paul Brown stretch his side’s lead to 2-0 before Ofai sealed the victory to 3-0 as full time score.
Women’s category
1. Malaita – Gold
2. Temotu – Silver
3. Guadacanal Bronze
Men’s category
1. Guadalcanal- Gold
2. Choiseul- Silver
3. Malaita – Bronze
By CROFTON UTUKANA
