Hockey: Crunch game ahead for Auckland and Harbour women

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Most interest in this week's final round of pool play in the men's and women's national league will centre on the women's clash between North Harbour and Auckland at Rosedale Park in Albany.

Wellington continued their domination of both competitions with resounding victories in the penultimate round and will take the top seedings into next weekend's playoffs.

The men will be joined by Auckland, Canterbury and North Harbour; the women will have Canterbury as company as one of the other three qualifiers.

Thursday's game at Rosedale Park holds most interest. Harbour go into the match three points ahead of Auckland and with a better goal difference.

If Auckland can win and score three or four goals they might well sneak into the top four.

Wellington's women continued their rampaging run with a 5-1 away win over Manawatu on Saturday, with Niniwa Roberts-Lang scoring twice.

Auckland, after being held 3-2 at halftime by Northland, went on to win 5-2 in Whangarei to score their first win of the season. Lisa Walton led the way with two, including a spectacular effort from the top of the circle.

Rising star Stacey Carr also scored twice as Canterbury beat North Harbour 3-0 in Christchurch, after leading 1-0 at halftime.

The North Harbour men also went down to Canterbury in the match of the day in the Lion Foundation National League.

Trailing 4-1 after a lacklustre first half, North Harbour eventually lost 4-2. Simon Munt scored twice for the home side.

There was some satisfaction for the visitors in nullifying Hayden Shaw's threat at penalty corners. Harbour's man of the match, Darren Smith, scored their only goal of the first half, and David Kosoof drag-flicked the only goal of the second spell.

Wellington went on the rampage in Tauranga, thumping Midland Express 11-0 after leading 8-0 at the break.

International striker Phillip Burrows led the way with four goals. James Nation chipped in with a couple. Five other players, including top Australian Brent Livermore, scored one each.

Auckland beat Northland 3-0 away to strengthen their claim for second place.

A Taine Bennett field goal gave the visitors a 20th-minute lead.

Second-half goals, both from open play, to Troy Hari and Wayne McIndoe completed the scoring.

Final-round matches will be played at North Harbour, Palmerston North and Wellington on Thursday.

The semifinals and finals will be played in Wellington on Saturday and Sunday.