Hockey: Shock Midlands, Harbour losses

Defending National League champions Midlands and North Harbour must bounce back from surprise weekend losses at Porritt Park to have any chance of repeat victories.

The Midlands men were upset 2-1 by a new-look Wellington side in Saturday's second round before bouncing back yesterday to swamp Central 9-0.

They ended the round in third place - three points behind Canterbury and one behind also unbeaten Wellington.

Under the cut-throat format, there are no semifinals, with the top two teams after Saturday's seventh round progressing to the final.

Wellington have surprised many with their bold efforts. Their win over the defending championships was followed by an action-packed 5-5 come-from-behind draw with Auckland yesterday - the first draw of the tournament - a bold fight back after trailing 2-4 at halftime.

Wellington, without Australian star Brent Livermore this season, battled well throughout with five players on the score sheet.

Auckland were twice reduced to 10 players with Simon Child yellow-carded in each half, the second time a little unluckily as he disputed what appeared a poor call to award Wellington a stroke.

That goalfest followed an even bigger surprise on the second turf where the hosts stunned the highly favoured North Harbour team 5-1 with drag flick expert Hayden Shaw, who missed the 3-0 win over Central a day earlier, scoring twice in a game in which the Harbour team lost their way.

Ahead early, Canterbury were rarely under pressure from the star-studded Harbour side who need to return to winning form against Central today.

Midlands bounced back in style against Central racing to 5-0 by halftime, even without retired international Lloyd Stephenson who watched from the sideline.

Coach Darren Smith gave his bench valuable game time before today's game against Northland and the all-important battle with Canterbury on Wednesday.

The Midlands women won three straight to take the early advantage as the only unbeaten team. Victories over Auckland a week ago, and Southern in a one-sided 10-0 romp and Northland 3-1 in a tense battle yesterday, have them at the top of the table with nine points. Central beat North Harbour 3-1 with veteran Caryn Paewai leading the charge by scoring twice. Black Stick Kayla Sharland added the other with Stacey Michelsen scoring a good individual effort for Harbour. Harbour yesterday beat Canterbury 3-0.