Grassroots hockey: Auckland

Bolstered by their four internationals, Premier women's leaders Somerville were too strong for Howick Pakuranga.

Inspired by New Zealand defender Karen Syddall, who scored twice from penalty corners, Somerville won 4-0 and stretched their lead to four points over Western.

Western lost ground in drawing 2-2 with Mt Eden, who led 2-0 at halftime. Olivia Clarke and Frances Kreft scored for Mt Eden while Shelly Hiha and Tina Bell-Kake provided the finish to Western's comeback.

A plucky Slam side shrugged off sickness and injury to beat Southern 2-1, Kate Saunders scoring one in each half for the winners.

In the other match, Roskill Eden kept themselves in contention with a 7-0 win over bottom-placed University.

Men's leaders University got home 4-3 over Western in a thriller.

After a scoreless first half in a game punctuated by penalty corners and strokes, the scores were level three times before University won.

Phil Lowe scored twice for University, with Taine Bennett and Richard Dayman getting the others. Reece Griffiths Jones, Michael Gunn and Hernan Dapena scored for Western.

Ahead 4-1 at halftime, Somerville were over-run 5-4 in the second spell by a fired-up Howick Pakuranga.

Brett Leaver led the charge with a hat-trick for Howick, Mark Leaver and Troy Hari adding the others. Robbie Towns and Ryan Archibald scored two each for Somerville.

Two second-half goals from Beau Collins and some good work from New Zealand goalkeeper Paul Woolford earned Roskill Eden their 2-1 win over Slam.

Southern beat Indians 8-1.