Hockey: Northland teams outclassed

Northland's men's and women's under-21 teams have finished last in the national under-21 tournament held in Whangarei.

After a dismal start to the campaign, Northland's men's side recovered from two heavy losses [9-2 and 10-0 against Canterbury and Southern] to be competitive in their remaining matches.

Following on from a day off during last week's tournament, Northland stepped their game up as they went down 4-2 to North Harbour and Central. Against Harbour, Elliot Bartholomew and Isaac Smith nailed home Northland's goals while against Central it was Strachan McLeod and Cameron Mackie.

Northland again put in a strong performance late in the tournament, this time a 2-1 loss to eventual fifth placegetters Capital. Northland's goalscorer on was Gaurav Correa.

However, Northland's U-turn in form could not last the remainder of the tournament as they were demolished 10-1 by Central in the seventh vs eighth play-off.

Northland's women's under-21 side suffered a similar fate, albeit in a closer fashion to the men's.

After two losses first up, Northland pushed eventual runners-up Auckland 3-2 with Frances Steel and Arnica Palmer scoring goals.

Northland again came close against Central, going down 4-3, as Garby Smith, Nicola McDonell-Kelly and Jade McLeod got on the scoresheet.

However, Northland's remaining two games weren't as close. They suffered at the hands of a Tarryn Davey who scored a hattrick for Midlands as they romped home 6-0 over Northland.

In the seventh and eighth playoff on Saturday, Northland was held scoreless by Capital as they ran away with a 3-0 victory.

The national under-21 tournament was essentially a series of trial match ups as Junior Black Sticks squads were selected for the Junior World Cup later this year. The squads are as follows.

Men's: Brennan Alexander-Parker, Martin Atkinson, Robert Creffier, Nick Elder, Glen Eyres, Trevor Garrett, Sam Greaney, Alexander Hannon, Angus Haslett, William Hayde, Craig Jones, Richard Joyce, Scott Kearney, Kim Kingstone, Sanjay Lala, Trent Lett, Oliver MacIntyre, Harry Miskimmin, Jeremy Morris, George Muir, Jared Panchia, Robert Paterson, Ben Radovonich, Michael Ritchie, Kane Russell, Ben Smith, Trent Summers, Benedict van Woerkom, Zac Woods, Nicholas Woods.

Women's: Georgia Barnett, Sarah Matthews, Melissa Harris, Jenny Storey, Brooke Neal, Genevieve Macilquham, Elizabeth Thompson, Kim Tanner, Danielle Sutherland, Tessa Jopp, Rachel McCann, Rosie Keddell, Julia King, Sian Fremaux, Cass Reid, Rhiannon Dennison, Melissa Simpson, Erin Goad, Phillipa Symes, Olivia Merry, Michaela Curtis, Sophie Cocks.