KEY POINTS:
Six Days after scoring the goal that booked the New Zealand women a spot in next year's Olympics, Krystal Forgesson was at it again - scoring a hat-trick for Auckland in their opening game of the National Hockey League in Hamilton yesterday.
But her three-goal trick was the only real highlight in a 4-0 win over Central in a game which fell away in the second spell.
Defending champions North Harbour scored a goal in each half - the second to Black Sticks striker Jaimee Provan - as they overcame a plucky Central side 2-1 in the last game of the day.
In a major upset, Northland beat Canterbury 4-2 with Anna Thorpe and international front-runner Charlotte Harrison scoring twice for the winners.
Niniwa Roberts matched her Black Sticks team-mate Forgesson, scoring three for Wellington in their 4-2 win over Midlands after being locked 1-1 at halftime.
The weekend double-header was set alight by the Canterbury men, who thumped Northland 9-2 after leading 5-1 at the break. Hayden Shaw, back from New Zealand's failed Olympic bid in Buderim, was quickly into stride, scoring three for the southerners. Nick Haig, not wanted on the trip to Australia, scored twice as Canterbury set the early standard.
Their early morning clash with North Harbour today will find the competition pacesetter.
Harbour, with their six internationals back after missing much of the pre-season, took time to settle but on the back of solid games from Blair Hopping, Bryce Collins and Ben Collier got home 3-0 over Central. Well-taken goals by captain Dave Kosoof, Shaun Barnett and Collins earned Harbour the points to set up today's showdown with Canterbury.
Defending champions Wellington needed a late penalty goal conversion from Matt L'Hullier to snatch a 2-2 draw with hosts Midlands who had gone ahead in the 52nd minute when Tony Hopping scored.
Auckland, too, had a tough introduction, getting home 3-2 over Southern after leading 3-0 at halftime.
