Hockey: Central win dress-rehearsal

The finalists have been decided after seven rounds of the men's and women's national hockey league.

In the women's competition, Midlands and Central will back up in today's final in a repeat of yesterday's last round-robin match, won 2-1 by Central.

Central finished three points clear of their second-placed rivals. The match was of academic interest only as North Harbour, the only other side in contention for a finals berth, lost 1-0 to Auckland earlier in the day.

Harbour had to beat Auckland solidly to progress to the final and played like a team under pressure. Auckland continued the improvement they have shown throughout the competition to secure the narrow win and move into third place. The two teams will meet again today in the bronze medal match.

Wellington beat Canterbury 3-2 and they will play off again today for fifth while Northland and Southern, who drew 1-1 yesterday, meet in the wooden spoon match.

In the men's competition, North Harbour secured a place in the final against Wellington with a 5-2 win over Midlands. North Harbour put in a good first half to go up 2-0 up at halftime, but had to fight hard after Midlands pegged one back early in the second spell.

However, Priyesh Bhana extended Harbour's lead to 3-1 before David Green converted drag flick corners in the 64th and 70th minutes to put the game out of Midlands' reach.

Wellington stuttered against Northland initially, peppering the Northland goal without success until Blair Hilton scored in the 27th minute.

Stephen Jenness added two further field goals to ease the tension in the 51st and 58th minute and put Wellington through to the final.

Canterbury and Auckland drew 3-3, while Southern concluded a successful round robin with an excellent 7-1 win over Central to set themselves up for their best finish since 2004.