Hockey: Midlands awarded Ramesh Patel Shield after recount

The Midlands won the Ramesh Patel Shield against Canterbury when points were recounted. Photo / Photosport

A miscount from Hockey New Zealand means the Ramesh Patel Shield will head to Midlands after spending just a week with Canterbury Hockey.

The national body contacted Canterbury Hockey last week to explain that they made a mistake in presenting Canterbury with the award after both regions ended on the exact same number of points following the completion of the National Hockey League.

The shield has now been awarded to Midlands after a recount based on the number of tournaments won this year.

Canterbury Hockey chief executive Rod Templeton and Chris Goldsbury received the Ramesh Patel shield after the NHL final in Whangarei. Photo / Christchurch Star

The Ramesh Patel Shield recognises the top region over Hockey New Zealand's three annual high-performance tournaments - the under-21, under-18 and men's NHL.

Midlands won three titles - the under-21 women, under-18 men and men's NHL. Canterbury also had a year to be proud of winning two titles - under-21 men and women's NHL.

The shield has been on display at the Canterbury Hockey office since last week.

"For a week, people have come in and had a look at it. It's quite funny the conversation's you have with people. They say congratulations on winning the Ramesh Patel Shield and then we have to explain, well actually, we didn't quite," said Canterbury Hockey representative manager Chris Goldsbury.

Hockey New Zealand had offered to let both regions share the shield.

However, Canterbury Hockey declined the offer after learning about the miscount.

A representative from Hockey New Zealand will deliver the shield from Christchurch to Hamilton next week.