Hockey: Close call for semifinalists

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Auckland and North Harbour men's national league teams used their get-out-of-jail cards in Thursday's last round of section play en route to today's semifinals.

They will now need to look elsewhere for divine intervention.

Last year's finalists meet in the second semifinal at Rosedale Park in Albany with unbeaten Auckland hotly favoured to keep their Lion Foundation League hopes alive.

Auckland, who needed extra time to beat North Harbour last year, retained their season-long unbeaten record at Lloyd Elsmore Park when Taine Bennett grabbed a late equaliser to finish 1-1 with Canterbury two days ago.

That wake-up call was timely. Coach Keith Rowley admits his players should have their report cards stamped, "Can do better."

North Harbour coach Manoj Daji has more problems as he struggles with the demands of the job with a team who won two years ago and went so close last season.

With only two wins, both against teams who finished below them on the table, Daji must get more from his senior players today to have any chance.

Following the Midland Express upset 2-1 win over Wellington on Thursday night, North Harbour then needed to beat Northland by five goals to claim the fourth play-off spot.

Ahead 2-0 at halftime, the ball continued to find the back of the Northland goal as North Harbour claimed the five they needed before conceding a last-minute stroke.

Their season flashed before their eyes, but goalkeeper Steve Gardiner rose to the challenge to pull off a miraculous save, booking Harbour a place in the semis.

In the other semifinal, Wellington, stung by their second loss of the season, will play Canterbury, who have lost only once.

This should be a high-scoring affair, with Canterbury penalty corner expert Hayden Shaw due to hit goal-scoring form again, while Wellington have goal-grabbers in Phil Burrows, Umesh Parag and Mitesh Patel.

In the key bottom-of-the-table clash, Northland meet Midland Express, with the loser in danger of a promotion-relegation play-off.

The Auckland women turned in one of their more encouraging efforts, holding Canterbury to 2-1 in their final round-robin game.

Today, having survived the top four cut, Auckland have the chance to keep their season alive, but it will be a big step up for a team rebuilding after losing stars Anna Lawrence and Mandy Smith.

Manawatu will play Wellington in the other semi in what promises to be a keen battle. Despite finishing only third in round-robin play, Wellington averaged more than three goals a game.

In that form, they should be too strong for a Manawatu side who have struggled defensively.

In the fifth-sixth play-off, newcomers Waikato meet North Harbour.

The winners of today's semifinals will play in tomorrow afternoon's finals.

All matches are at Rosedale Park.

Today

Women: Manawatu v Wellington 10am, Canterbury v Auckland 1pm, Waikato v North Harbour 4pm.

Men: Canterbury v Wellington 11.30am, Auckland v North Harbour 2.30pm, Midland Express v Northland 6pm.

Tomorrow

Women: third/fourth play-off 10am, final 12.30pm.

Men: third/fourth play-off 11.30am, final 2.30pm.