Hockey: Capital clear leaders

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Wellington are clear leaders after three rounds of the national men's and women's hockey league.

Both teams, with perfect three-from-three records, are well-placed to finish top after five round-robin matches.

Already assured of home advantage for the playoffs and finals, they will be hard to beat.

Defending women's champions Canterbury lost 3-2 to Wellington on Saturday, but thumped Auckland 5-1 in yesterday's third round.

Led by two goals each from Carol Ward and Helen Issac, Canterbury were 4-0 ahead at halftime.

Auckland, without a point after three rounds, face an unlikely battle to make the top-four play-offs.

Canterbury, Manawatu and North Harbour share second with two wins each.

After beating Northland 10-4 on Saturday, North Harbour were beaten 4-0 by Wellington yesterday, with Niniwa Roberts-Lang scoring twice. Northland were up against it again yesterday, going down 7-2 to Manawatu.

The Auckland men had two wins at the weekend to move into equal second place with North Harbour.

Ahead 4-0 at halftime against Midland Express in their second round game, Auckland went on to win 6-2. They came from behind yesterday to beat Canterbury 3-1.

Gareth Brooks gave the home side the lead. Auckland replied before halftime when Wayne McIndoe scored from a penalty corner.

Two second-half goals to Phil Lowe assured Auckland of the points.

North Harbour - two from two after Saturday's 6-0 home win over Northland - lost their unbeaten record, going down 4-2 in Wellington yesterday.

Northland scored their first win yesterday when Carlo Aprea scored one in each half as they held on to beat Midland 2-1.

In round four feature matches on Saturday, North Harbour (men and women) are away to Canterbury.