Hockey: Canterbury in top title form

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Canterbury confirmed their favouritism for the women's title with a 5-1 win over Midlands in Hamilton last night.

Led by two Amanda Christie goals, Canterbury were too strong for Midlands in confirming their top seeding for the weekend's playoffs.

Canterbury are likely to play Wellington in one semifinal while, in a replay of their first-round clash in the Lion Foundation NHL, North Harbour will play Central in the other.

North Harbour made hard work of their 2-0 win over Southern.

Needing to win to ensure their place in the top four after they learned of Central's win over Northland, Harbour struggled in the first half .

They found something better in the second half, with player-of-the-match Karlie Maloney leading the way. She won her side a 42nd-minute penalty corner from which Holly Riini scored, and made certain of Harbour's fourth win of the season when she finished a good move started by Paula Enoka and continued by Jaimee Provan.

Too often the home side let themselves down by their inability or reluctance to pass the ball.

In a key men's clash Auckland came from a goal down to beat defending champions Wellington 2-1 to remain at the top of the table.