Hockey: Harbour look to maintain fine form

Andrew Gardiner (top) scored a hat-trick for Canterbury who won their match against Auckland yesterday. Picture / Kenny Rodger

North Harbour are back in familiar territory in heading the men's national league race but coach Darren Smith must be hoping there is no repeat of last year's dismal finale.

A convincing 4-1 away win over previous front-runners Wellington yesterday catapulted Harbour to a clear three-point lead as the only unbeaten team - men or women.

Harbour led after round-robin play last season but fell over at the business end to finish fourth, beaten in the bronze medal match by Wellington.

With their 5-4 away win over Auckland in a replay of last year's final, Canterbury joined Wellington in second place leaving Auckland in fourth and facing nervous times as they play Wellington and Central in remaining outings.

The women's race is even tighter with unsung Midlands snatching a surprise lead, on goal difference, from fancied Central and Canterbury.

With their 3-2 home win over Central in Taupo yesterday, Midlands, who have yet to play the semifinals, should lead the charge into the top four with matches against the two lowest placed teams, Northland and Wellington, to complete their programme.

Midlands, boosted by former internationals Robbie Matthews and Di Weavers and with solid efforts from goalkeeper Lizzy Holmes, have backed their defensive effort with a league-high 17 goals on attack.

Goals to international Clarissa Eshuis and Kiisha Gurran had the home side 2-0 ahead in Taupo before the visitors got one back just before the break. Tara Drysdale equalised midway through the second spell. Gurran's second, eight minutes from time, was the winner.

Inside the first minute former international Karlie Maloney set up Jaimee Provan for North Harbour's first goal in their 5-0 romp over Wellington at Crown Relocations Stadium.

This was the catalyst for the unpredictable Harbour side to press on and race away for their third win of the season. With games against Canterbury and Southern to play, Harbour are not assured of a top-four finish.

Auckland kept their hopes alive with a come-from-behind upset 2-1 away win over Canterbury on Saturday. Liz Perry gave Canterbury their halftime lead before Auckland stormed back with two Katie Glynn goals five minutes apart midway through the second spell to snatch the points which have them a point behind North Harbour in fifth place.

Another strong defensive effort laid the foundation for North Harbour's win over Wellington in top-of-the-table men's action.

First-half field goals from internationals Shaun Barnett and Lloyd Stephenson had the visitors ahead 2-0 at the break. Simon Brill and Sinclair Hill stretched that to 4-0 before Grant Down grabbed a last-minute consolation from a penalty corner for the home side.

Ben Collier, like Stephenson, in his first outing since returning from the World Cup, was named man of the match with Australian fullback Darryl McCormack, also playing for the first time, also showing out.

After a lacklustre opening half at Lloyd Elsmore Park interrupted for 15 minutes after nine minutes when the turf was flooded, the Auckland-Canterbury men's match came alive after the interval.

A 30th minute Andrew Gardiner drag flick from a penalty corner gave Canterbury the halftime lead.

Two minutes into the second spell Auckland were level 1-1 when Hamish Baron angled home a shot on the run. The first of two Richard Petherick drag flicks at penalty corners, got the home side ahead in the 43rd minute.

The see-saw battle continued with Nick Haig scoring from open play to equalise six minutes later. A minute on, Reuben Koorey swept home to put the visitors back in front.

Within two minutes David Samuels had the home side on terms. Gardiner then completed his hat-trick with two more drag flicks to give Canterbury a 5-3 lead with eight minutes to play. Petherick got one back but the defending champions held on to take the points.