Lightning get two wins & draw at home tournament

Former WHS student Kieran O'Donnell was the top goalscorer for the Wanganui Lightning in the Lower North Island Inline Hockey League at the weekend.

The Wanganui Lightning claimed two wins and a draw from their four home games in the Lower North Island Inline Hockey League at Jubilee Stadium at the weekend.

On currently calculations, this will leave the Lightning tied for second with the Tawa Typhoons after three rounds of the five round series, however the club's secretary/manager Rhiannon Vale said this is unconfirmed.

"The statistician has not received all the score sheets and done the proper count.

"There were lots of forfeited games from other teams which has made the process of working out were we sit on the table event harder."

The Lightning had to play without two of their three Ashworth brothers – Matt and Joel – who were injured.

They started on Saturday morning with a 4-4 draw against the Levin Rebels, who beat them in the opening game of last year's Whanganui tournament.

Next up in the afternoon was the big one, as the Lightning had their best win with a 7-2 victory over rivals the Rimutaka Renegades.

However, opportunity slipped a little on Sunday morning as they lost to Tawa 3-2, while picking up a victory in the fourth game by forfeit against the Capital Penguins.

The Penguins, who have a mixed team of men and women, still played the match, however they needed a goalkeeper from another club to make up the numbers.

Kieran O'Donnell was again the Lightning's best scorer with six goals and two assists, while brother James O'Donnell picked up four goals and four assists.

The club held a fundraising BBQ throughout the two days and raised $253 to support themselves.

Wanganui Toyota, Flooring Xtra Wanganui and Masterbuilt sponsored the sizzle.

The fourth round of the series is tentatively scheduled to be held in Kilbirnie in Wellington, followed by the final round in Levin.

By Jared Smith
Wanganui Chronicle 12/6/18