Hockey: Auckland look to seal top spot

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Interest in today's final national hockey league round-robin matches will centre on the battle for the last of the four play-off spots in the men's and women's competitions.

Old rivals Auckland and Canterbury will clash in the feature men's match at Lloyd Elsmore Park, with Auckland needing only a point to cement top spot and with it the easier of Saturday's semifinals.

Unbeaten in four matches, Auckland go into the round three points clear of Wellington and Canterbury. All three teams are assured of places in the top four.

Goal-grabbing Canterbury defender Hayden Shaw will be keen to add to his already impressive tally but might find Auckland and New Zealand, goalkeeper Paul Woolford a bigger challenge.

The race for fourth is down to Midland Express, who meet Wellington in Hamilton, and former champions North Harbour, who play Northland at Rosedale Park.

Midland and North Harbour have three points, Northland none.

No women's team has secured maximum points, but Canterbury are well placed to take top spot.

They go into today's away game against Auckland with nine points, two clear of Wellington (who are away to Waikato), and with Auckland a point back in third, ahead of Manawatu on goal difference.

Victory for Waikato could see them grab a place in the top four. Only North Harbour, at home to Manawatu, are out of the hunt with two points.

In Saturday's semifinals, all matches will be played at Rosedale Park. The top qualifier will play the fourth-placed team. Second will play third in the other semifinal.

The two winners will meet in Sunday's finals.

Today's draw (home team first): Men: Auckland v Canterbury, 8pm; North Harbour v Northland, 8pm; Midland Express v Wellington, 7.15pm. Women: Waikato v Wellington, 5.30pm; North Harbour v Manawatu, 6.30pm; Auckland v Canterbury, 5.30pm.