Hockey: Champs' dream run ends

By TERRY MADDAFORD

One of the longest winning streaks in New Zealand sport ended yesterday, when Auckland beat Canterbury in the top-of-the-table national women's hockey league clash in Christchurch.

Chasing their 26th successive win, Canterbury, who led 1-0 at halftime, went down 4-2 to Auckland, who have taken a four-point lead in the Lion Foundation League and are assured of a home final.

Jamie Provan gave the home side their halftime lead but Mandy Smith scored the first of her two goals straight after halftime. Karen Sydall grabbed the second in the 47th minute to give Auckland the lead for the first time.

Kate Trolove equalised for Canterbury two minutes later, but Smith and Donnaka Dorrington scored to complete the historic victory.

Auckland play Wellington in their last round-robin game next Sunday, while Canterbury are away to Otago, needing a win to assure themselves of a place in the final.

Wellington were given a fright by North Harbour before winning 3-2 yesterday to keep their slim hopes alive.

After leading 2-0 inside 11 minutes, Wellington had to hold out a spirited North Harbour reply.

Michelle Roscoe got the visitors back to 2-3 four minutes from time but they could not close the gap.

Manawatu raced to 4-0 at halftime against Otago. Led by a Moira Senior hat-trick, they went on to win 6-1 and keep their hopes of a place in the final alive.

North Harbour have gone to the top of the men's competition following their 5-2 win over Midland Express in Hamilton.

Andrew Kay's fifth goal of the season gave Harbour a third-minute lead.

They were never headed and continued their free-scoring run in taking their tally from four games to 18.

With the other two games ending in draws, North Harbour lead on goal difference from Northland - who they will play in the crucial fifth-round clash at Rosedale Park on Saturday - with Auckland, who have a game in hand, a point further back.

Northland drew 4-4 with Canterbury but picked up the bonus point by winning the penalty stroke tiebreaker.

Auckland should have done better than drawing 2-2 with defending champions Wellington, who were reduced to 10 players when goalkeeper Hugh Biss was sent off.

Umesh Parag, who leads the goal-scoring list with six, put both in for Wellington - his second in the last minute to force the game to penalty strokes, which Wellington won.