Hockey: Harbour scrape into semis

North Harbour last night won through to the semifinals of the women's national league with Auckland relegated to the bottom-four play-offs.

Rarely a top four contender through the round-robin matches, North Harbour, on the back of a Jaimee Provan hat-trick, beat Southern 7-2 in the first of the four matches in Wellington.

They then had to wait until the last game hoping Central would beat Auckland to pitch them into tomorrow's semifinals.

In a cliff-hanger, Central prevailed 5-4 to put Harbour through and leave Auckland contemplating what might have been.

After racing to 3-0 inside 17 minutes, Central had to withstand a spirited Auckland fightback which had the teams locked 4-4 before Jaimee Edwards scored the late winner from the field to dash Auckland hopes.

Two goals each to Moira Senior and Edwards laid the foundation for Central's win.

Earlier, Northland battled well but could not score the goals they needed in going down 2-1 to Canterbury.

From Nicola Hawes in goal to Charlotte Harrison up front, Northland gave as good as they got but could not finish it off as Jane Maley scored the second half winner for the southerners.

Top qualifier Midlands too had some anxious moments before sneaking home 3-2 over Wellington who managed just one draw first-up against Northland in their seven matches.

Interest now switches to today's last men's round-robin matches and the jostle for top four positions.

A first-up win for North Harbour over Southern would assure the Darren Smith-coached side of top seeding with Canterbury taking second provided they do not lose to Northland. In that case a big win for Auckland, over Central, or Wellington, against Midlands, could edge one or other into the top two on goal difference.

The men's semifinals are on Saturday.