HOCKEY - Nail-biter on the cards

Top billing in the Northland premier hockey competition this weekend goes to the match between Old Girls and Whangarei Girls' High School.
The last match on the card in this weekend's round of games on Sunday could well be a nail-biter, with second place in the competition hanging in the balance between the two teams.
Old Girls now lead Girls' High by a single point but have played one more game than their rivals, meaning that whoever wins their encounter tomorrow will have the upper hand in the race to close the gap on league leaders Maungakaramea.
Maungakaramea's defence is unlikely to be troubled much by United Kawakawa in the 3pm match but Kawakawa's compressed defence has been difficult to break down in recent weeks.
Hikurangi-Parihaka take on Kamo High School in the 4.30pm game, ready to bounce back from a last-gasp defeat by Maungakaramea in the last round.
The premier games are once again being played on Sunday this week. The extra day gives the under-15 provincial players time to return from their national competitions to play club hockey.
The action kicks off at noon with the men's premier grade match between Bream Bay United and Mangapai.
Mangapai currently lead the competition by a single point ahead of Maungakaramea and Springfield, who are currently second equal in the competition.
The two teams play each other at 1.30pm.