Attacking play sees Northland make fine start

Northland Women started their National Hockey League campaign with a satisfying 2-1 triumph over rivals Auckland, on on home turf.
Determined to improve on their seventh place in the 2009 tournament, the Mark Cromie Holden Northland side made just the start coach Alan Lints was looking for on Saturday by beating last year's fourth-place holders at ITM Rosvall Stadium.
Northland was boosted up front by New South Wales guest players Hollie Webster and Emma Cobbin after the pair joined up with the squad on Thursday night for their first training session.
"We brought this group of eclectic global players together to perform, and they did just that," Lints said following round one.
"The Australians were fantastic and contributed massively ... there were lots of goal scoring chances and shots on goal that weren't just flukes - we played aggressive and attacking hockey."
Northland had most of the possession and territory in the first half, securing two penalty corners in the 12th and 23rd minute, but were unable to convert. In the 28th minute Land and Marine Auckland had a PC but Northland's very mobile defence was solid.
Tania Crene rallied hard in defence, showing her experience. Through their persistence, Northland cleared to Laura Douglas, who dribbled the ball from halfway, and beat Auckland's defence to score. Northland led 1-0 at the halfway mark, keeping around 300 spectators on the edge of their seats.
Three minutes into the second half, Jo McQueen robbed the ball from an Auckland defender inside the circle and scored a reverse shot. Auckland struck back immediately with Julia King smashing in a loose ball to make the score 2-1. Northland kept the ball in their half for most of the second half, making several attempts at goal, but Auckland tightened their defence to prevent..
Lints was pleased with the result and his players' performance.
"Laura Douglas' goal was about endeavour and Jo's goal just showed her massive commitment to the game ... both the Aussies were invaluable ... it was a strong team effort."
Yesterday's round two game against North Harbour at North Harbour Hockey Stadium was hard fought, with last year's third-place recipients triumphing 2-1 over their visitors. The first half though was evenly contested with teams forcing early errors. However, it was North Harbour who planted the first goal in the 33rd minute when Rhiannon Dennison netted a field goal to give Harbour a 1-0 lead going into the break.
North Harbour continued to apply the pressure in the second half but that was countered by resolute defence from Northland - Cobbin showed her class again weaving around the Harbour players.
North Harbour hit back hard with another field goal to Petrea Webster, well set up Amie Judge down the right side to extend the lead in the 47th minute. Douglas narrowed the score with her second goal of the NHL late in the game, but the fulltime whistle beat the Northland team for the comeback.
Throughout the weekend's two rounds, Lints played all 18 players, giving them invaluable experience heading into the tournament setting, which starts with round three next Saturday against 2009 runners-up Midlands. All matches throughout the following week will be played at North Harbour Hockey Stadium.