The group leaders after pool play have all made it through to the semifinals of the Collier Trophy Hockey tournament in Whangarei, after wins in their crossover matches yesterday. Waikato will play Tauranga in one match today, while North Harbour and Canterbury face off for the other final spot. Unfortunately for Northlandsupporters, their team, who had finished as runner-up to Canterbury in pool play, couldn't catch up to Tauranga and bowed out 2-3 in a thriller at the Whangarei Hockey Stadium. Although they trailed 0-2 at the break, they never gave up in the match and thrilled their fans by closing to within one goal but couldn't equalise. Waikato just managed to subdue Taranaki 1-0 in another close match, while North Harbour beat Hawke's Bay 4-0 and Canterbury beat their "B" side 3-1. North Harbour and Canterbury are the only unbeaten teams in the competition and whoever wins that semifinal will take on the favourites mantle for the final tomorrow.
