Marist of Suva qualified for the semi-finals of the annual Mates Hockey Club tournament after stamping their mark in the opening rounds of the men's division in Lautoka yesterday.
The 2010 champions, boosted by national reps Jean Bentley, Reginald Eastgate and Paul Fraser, recorded big wins in the men's Pool B competition.
The Marist team thumped Titans 4-1 and then hammered Blue Star 4-0. The two wins were enough to secure the team a spot in the semi-finals this morning.
Naidrodro also qualified for the next stage from the same group after recording two wins. The side from Ba beat Blue Star 1-0 and Titans by the same score.
Host and defending champion Mates is on track after recording a win and a draw.
A new winner will be crowned in the women's division after defending champion Ozone failed to register.
Ventures look set to dominate the women's division. The team defeated Marist 3-1.
Blue Star failed to turn up in the category.
Mates Hockey Club tournament media officer Ernest Coffin said they expected some close battles during the semi-finals of both categories.
He said the losers from the semi-finals would play-off for the third and fourth places.
"We are grateful to have the clubs come down from Suva to support our event," Coffin said.
"The interesting bit is that we have added the under-14 category for the first time this year. We hope that playing in a major tournament like this would generate more interest among the youngsters to come out and play in the weekly competitions next season."
Results
Men's: GM Mates 0 Rebels 0, B/Star 1 Naidrodro 2, Marist 4 Titans 1, Ventures 4 Stingers 0, Ventures 2 Rebels 1, Mates 1 Stingers 0, Naidrodro 1 Titans 0, Marist 4 B/Star 0.
Women's: Ventures 3 Marist 1, Rebels 1 Mobees 1, Mates 1 Mobees 3, Mates 3 Rebels 0.
U14: Mates Legends 2 Naidrodro 1, Naidrodro 2 Mobilites 0, Mates 1 Mobilites 0.