Webb goal keeps Northland in running for good finish

A late goal against Central by Sam Webb has set up his team for their best finish in four years at this week's National Hockey League tournament in Christchurch - but the impetus for their 2-1 win may have been sparked by one of Webb's former Northland teammates.
The men have played second fiddle to their more highly rated female counterparts in recent seasons but, yesterday, they posted their second win of the tournament and now sit above perennial heavyweights Auckland on the competition table.
Coach Vicky Gribble said the team was hardly even rated  a chance before the tournament started but they had taken a "secret weapon" down to Christchurch this week.
"Sometimes adversity causes teams to play their best hockey and that's been the case, but I think the key factor has been Michael Delaney on the sideline. He's very knowledgeable about the game and he's made a real difference," Gribble said.
Delaney, a former Northland player and Black Sticks junior, has assumed the job of assistant coach of the Northland squad and he has been behind some of the team's winning tactics.
"We're fortunate to have someone of his knowledge with the team," Gribble said.
Harbour import Vinnie Brill scored Northland's first goal of the match in the first half but Central equalised almost immediately to cut Northland's celebrations short.
"We fought it out for the rest of the match really, it was very tight but then Sam scored from a penalty corner and we held on for the win," Gribble said.
Northland have a tough challenge today when they face hosts Canterbury, followed by another hard game against Wellington tomorrow, before playing their crossover match to determine their final placing on Saturday.
The women's team scored their first point of the competition yesterday with a 2-2 draw against Auckland.
Charlotte Harrison opened the scoring by rounding the Auckland keeper to score from an acute angle after she was put through on goal by good lead-up work by Rhonda Rowsell and Ella Gunson.
Auckland equalised after Nicky Matthews saved a penalty corner but Harrison's younger sister, Samantha, playing for Auckland, was on hand to tap the ball into the net.
Auckland hit the lead after a penalty stroke was awarded at a penalty corner, but Alyx Pivac then equalised for Northland before she was yellow carded for a tackle - leaving Northland to defend the final seven minutes of the game with just 10 players.
Northland coach Grant McLeod said his side had been a goal "off the pace" in the competition to date as had been emphasised by losing two games by late goals.
"Yesterday, we were better than that and I felt that their stroke was a little bit dubious.  So, with that, I thought we probably deserved to win," McLeod said.