KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Negri Sembilan blew their Malaysia Women's Hockey League (WMHL) first leg final match when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Terengganu Ladies today.
Playing at their base in Seremban II, Negri took a 3-1 lead but let a struggling Terengganu Ladies side shave one point off their ambitions.
Terengganu Ladies took the lead off Wan Norfaiezah Saiuti in the second minute but Nuraini Rashid (11th, 26th) and Nuramirah Shakirah (24th) gave Negri a 3-1 lead.
However, Nur Atira Ismail (34th) and Noor Asyiqin Syakirah (43rd) made sure Terengganu share the spoils.
UniTen Thunderbolts took the top spot going into the second leg on 13 points, while Negri are second on 11 and Young Tigress third on nine points.
Terengganu Ladies are fourth on seven points, as they had only won two matches and drew one in six matches.
"We had a good grip on Terengganu and everything was going well until mistakes crept into my players' game and we dropped two points in a game which we should have won.
"We can't afford to drop anymore points in the second leg to defend our League title," said Negri coach K. Rajan.
RESULTS - WOMEN:
Young Tigress 0 KPT-UniTen 1, Negri Sembilan 3 Terengganu Ladies 3, Mutiara Impian 1 CS Hockey Team 4.