Hockey: Teams battle for home advantage

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Tomorrow is moving day as the men's and women's national hockey league teams square off in the penultimate round.

With home advantage for the finals and playoffs at stake, the pressure is on in the competitions, both sponsored by the Lion Foundation.

Most interest will centre on the clash at Auckland Grammar School between the perennial top dogs of New Zealand women's hockey, Auckland and Canterbury.

Both go into this top-of-table clash with perfect three-from-three records.

Auckland, keen to host next month's final, have a slight advantage on goal difference and could probably get away with a draw.

But they would need to show a bit more than they managed at times in beating Wellington 2-1 in their last home game.

Anna Lawrence showed she was peaking nicely with a hat-trick in Auckland's last win - 5-3 over Manawatu - but she has not always enjoyed the support she needs.

North Harbour have been the surprise of the women's league and a win over Wellington at Rosedale Park would guarantee them a place in the third-fourth playoff at least, and almost certainly a home game.

Lizzy Igasan scored two in Harbour's 3-1 away win over Otago and her penalty stroke skills will be crucial tomorrow.

The North Harbour men, who play the late game at Rosedale Park tomorrow, continue to set the pace.

Provided there is no hint of complacency in their clash with bottom-placed Northland - in a replay of last year's final - the home side should go close to confirming their place in a second final, and with it home advantage.

Hymie Gill and Darren Smith have been key performers in a solid Harbour side and their skills, backed by in-form David Kosoof, will again be vital.

In another traditional battle, the Auckland and Canterbury men square off in Christchurch.

With only four points from three games, Canterbury must win this one to keep their faint hopes alive.

This is a key round for all teams in the men's competition because it is the last they will play this season with their national under-21 representatives, who travel to Australia next week for the junior World Cup.