Hockey: Nervous Auckland aim to keep season alive

By TERRY MADDAFORD

There is a touch of nervousness in the Auckland men's camp as they head into this weekend's double-header.

Beaten 3-2 by Lion Foundation national league favourites Wellington first-up, Auckland will need points from at least one of their games today and tomorrow to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

"We will be without Ryan Archibald again," coach Keith Rowley said yesterday. "At best, we hope to have him back for finals weekend.

"We are looking at two hard games this weekend - with or without him. Midland Express have always pushed us hard and Canterbury-Auckland games in Christchurch are never easy."

While Archibald is still sidelined, New Zealand defender Dion Gosling is expected to play both matches.

Canterbury will welcome back top international Hayden Shaw for their weekend matches after he missed the opening round through study commitments.

The first weekend produced some interesting results.

All six games - men and women - were won by the away teams. All but one game, the Canterbury women's 7-0 romp in Whangarei, were won by the odd goal.

Today's key game in the men's competition will be the Wellington v Canterbury battle in Wellington.

Wellington then have a second home game tomorrow, against North Harbour, who start their weekend with a home game this afternoon against Northland.

The same clashes in the women's league will also be close and go a long way to finding the top four.

North Harbour women will be looking to continue their winning way after last week's upset win over Manawatu when they play Northland at Rosedale Park this afternoon. They then face the difficult away task in Wellington tomorrow.

In a key game at Lloyd Elsmore Park tomorrow - a neutral venue - Midland Express meet Northland, with the winner keeping their semifinal hopes alive.