Hockey: Goal-fest as league gets going

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Goals galore and a couple of timely reminders marked the opening round of the national league.

With one exception, the big four in the men's and women's competitions eventually got through the day unscathed.

Given that 44 goals were scored, it was a little surprising only Auckland's Mark Laurence got a hat-trick. His three - all scored in the first half - helped Auckland to a 6-1 win over Northland at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

Too quick, especially in claiming turnover ball, Auckland were always in control, with youngster Hamish Baron working well to create scoring opportunities.

Northland had their chances but a combination of some weak finishing and, when needed, a couple of saves from just-returned Olympic goalkeeper Paul Woolford, kept them out.

Defending champions Wellington showed they will be stayers in the Lion Foundation National League race despite a number of new faces.

With Athens Olympian Mitesh Patel slotting straight back into midfield, Wellington were too strong for Midlands in Tauranga winning 5-1 with Patel's brother Hitesh scoring twice.

A strong defensive effort from Wellington's Andrew Phillips, capped by scoring a goal, earned him player of the day honours while Ian Haste, at centre-half, was the pick of the Midlands team.

North Harbour were quickly in front of Central in Levin, cruised to 4-0 by the break and went on to win 6-0 over a team who had tested them in two warm-up games the previous weekend.

David Kosoof scored twice from penalty corners with the other goals going to Harbour front-runners Simon Brill, Lloyd Stephenson, Andrew Kay and Bryce Collins.

The clash between Wellington and North Harbour at Rosedale Park on Sunday will provide the second-round highlight.

Competition favourites Canterbury handed Southern a lesson in their league debut.

Too strong across the park, Canterbury, playing at home, raced to 6-0 in the first half to win 9-1.

Dutch import Taeke Taekema showed his redoubtable drag flick skills in scoring twice from penalty corners. Olympic striker Gareth Brooks and Andrew Nation also scored twice.

Southern's reply came from guest player Daniel Harrington, who has gone south after showing out as a top age group player in Manawatu.

Central caused the upset of the day with their women coming from a goal down at halftime to head North Harbour 2-1.

Brooke Taylor, one of the players called in to cover for the absent Olympians, gave Harbour their 1-0 halftime advantage.

Central hit back with a 49th-minute equaliser from Sheree Phillips and a 56th-minute winner by the experienced Moira Senior.

Defending champions Wellington, held 0-0 at halftime in Tauranga, were sparked into action by player of the day Piki Hamahona to score four in the second half to beat Central 4-0.

Hamahona, who has been honing her skills across the Tasman, scored two with the others coming from Nancy Rae-Tarawa and Nicola Hunter. All scored from the field.

Hotly favoured Canterbury had to come from 0-1 at the break to beat a spirited Southern side on debut.

From the little possession her team managed, guest player Toni Townsend gave the visitors the lead.

Amanda Christie scored two in as many minutes midway through the second half to save face and steer the home side to a 2-1 win.

Northland battled bravely against Auckland but by taking their chances and with Jess Brewster and Karen Sydall scoring two each, the home side were always going to win, which they did, 4-1.