Hockey: Odds stacked against Canterbury

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The long-standing rivalry between the Auckland and Canterbury men's hockey teams goes on the line at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, today.

Previous games between these traditional foes have been tense and hard-fought, but form suggests their Lion Foundation League clash this afternoon should be lopsided.

While Auckland remain firmly on course for a place in the final, Canterbury, who have just two points from four games, need at least a point to have any chance of dragging themselves away from the foot of the table and gain home advantage for the playoff for fifth and sixth places.

In the key game, which starts an hour later at 2 pm, North Harbour are at home to Northland at Rosedale Park, with the winners likely to play Auckland in the May 20 final.

Midland Express play Wellington at Pukekohe in the only men's game tomorrow.

All three women's games, which will sort out the playoff positions, will be played tomorrow - at Lloyd Elsmore Park, where Auckland meet Wellington, and in Dunedin and Palmerston North.