Hockey: Auckland well placed to win hockey title

Ben Collier. Photo / Richard Robinson

Hosts North Harbour will have to wait until today's last games in the final round of the National Hockey league to sort out final standings in the men's and women's competitions ahead of Saturday's semifinals.

Led by four goals from captain Ben Collier, Harbour swamped Central 6-2 yesterday to move into second, behind unbeaten Auckland, but with third-placed Midlands (trailing North Harbour on goal difference) having what appears the easier task in playing Central first-up today, the hosts will need to beat fourth-placed Capital to hold second in the men's section.

Hot favourites Auckland meet Southern this afternoon and should stretch their unbeaten run to seven, unless coach Hemant Lala decides to rest players. Auckland beat hapless Canterbury 4-1 in yesterday's late game to clinch top spot and give them the huge psychological advantage in their chase for a first title since 2001.

Ahead 3-1 at the break, Auckland cruised home notching their 26th goal - at an average of better than four-a-game in the process. Defensively they have been just as strong conceding less than a goal-a-game.

In women's action, leaders Canterbury square off against North Harbour with the winner to claim top spot.

Along with this pair, Midlands and Auckland are also assured of a top-four finish. With both expected to win today the final placings will probably be decided on goal difference with Midlands, despite losing 4-2 to Canterbury yesterday, slightly ahead.

Midlands, pipped in last year's final by Central, remain on course for a breakthrough first title.

Auckland clinched their semifinal spot with a gritty 1-0 win over Capital with Honor Dillon's first half deflection sealing their third win in six outings.