Champions to the fore in opening clash

It was a disappointing start I have to say.- Grant McLeodcoach'It was a disappointing start I have to say.Grant McLeod, coachNorthland women got a wake-up call when they were  beaten by defending champions North Harbour in the opening match of the National Hockey
League at ITM Rosvall Stadium.
The women entered Saturday's game with some confidence after winning a pre-season game against Harbour in July but struggled to find their form for the first of seven (at least) tournament games, going down, 4-2.
"It was a disappointing start I have to say," coach Grant McLeod said.
"We didn't play well in the first half, our trapping was poor in general and we were chasing the ball too much."
There was a prominent contingent of ex-Northlanders in the Harbour team - Stacey Michelsen, Carli Michelsen, Jasmin McQuinn, Keri Linklater and Kelsey Dunn - which the northern association could take some credit for, McLeod said.
Seven Junior Black Sticks lined up for Harbour including Stacey Michelsen, also a current Black Stick, who slotted the first goal of the match before her younger sister Carli added another to extend their halftime lead to 2-0.
Northland mounted an attack early in the second half, with North Harbour guest player Anna Weir delivering the ball off a rebound into goal against her teammates.
Ella Gunson and Rhonda Rowsell worked hard in defence and the team applied pressure on the Harbour attack, holding them out of the circle.
Ten minutes into the second half, however, the game was stopped when Northland's Brooke Neal was struck on the forehead with a stick. Neal was replaced by Svea Hinnueber.
North Harbour were next to score when Kushla Glauser saw space and passed the ball to Jamie Edwards who  scored.
Northland hit back immediately to close the gap again thanks to a second accurate shot by Weir. Each side had several chances to score off penalty corners but only Harbour managed to convert one late in the match - with McQuinn knocking it in, sealing the game for the visitors.
It was a physically taxing game and it ended with McQuinn getting hit on the head with a ball fired by Charlotte Harrison who was aiming for the goal. Both Neal and McQuinn were given the all clear after the match.
While not his side's best effort, McLeod said Northland's second half comeback showed they were competitive but they had plenty of work to do defensively and on maintaining ball possession before the remaining matches in Christchurch which start on Saturday.
North Harbour coach Rex Smith said Northland were a dangerous team, who would be surprised to be beaten after winning their pre-season clash.
"It is a pretty even competition with not much between Auckland, North Harbour and Northland," he said, picking the top three.
Just how close the rest of the competition will be was demonstrated when favourites Auckland lost to Midlands 2-0 on Saturday. Northland play their next NHL match against Canterbury on Saturday at Christchurch.
North Harbour 4 (Stacey Michelsen, Carli Michelsen, Jasmin McQuinn, Jaimee Edwards) Northland 2 (Anna Weir 2).