Hockey: Crunch time for Harbour

Tomorrow's showdown with North Harbour could decide whether Midlands get the chance to defend their title in Sunday's National League men's hockey final.

Midlands, comfortable winners over Southern last night, go into their Porritt Park clash with Harbour a point clear of the field but need at least a point from their final pool match to win through. A draw is no good to Harbour, who must win after dropping points in being held 2-2 by Wellington in yesterday's feature game.

Wellington, the only unbeaten team of the 16 (men and women) at the tournament, came back from 0-1 at halftime to spoil Harbour's party. Ahead with an early goal from a second attempt from a penalty corner, Harbour had the lion's share of possession but struggled to turn that into goals.

After Wellington had surged 2-1 ahead with goals from Lewis Brill and a seventh of the week for Matt L'Hullier (penalty corner), Harbour needed a late Blair Hopping penalty stroke to salvage a point.

Wellington should emerge as top qualifiers with only their game against Northland - beaten 5-2 by Canterbury yesterday - to come.

The battle at the top of the women's table is just as tight. Midlands gave their hopes of reaching the final a timely boost with yesterday's 2-0 win over defending champions North Harbour to end the penultimate round at the top of the table and three points clear of Harbour who face a testing last match against Auckland tomorrow.

Auckland are out of that race despite a 7-0 win over Southern.

Central beat Canterbury to join Midlands at the top of the table. That seems likely to be Sunday's final match-up.