Hockey: Too close to call as Canty meet Midlands for top spot

Midlands is coached by former international Hymie Gill. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Today's rest day promises to be think-tank time for the Canterbury and Midlands women's teams ahead of tomorrow's top-of-the-table clash which could go a long way to determining which team will finish the top of the round-robin on Friday.

Both go into the day off after three days' play at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium with identical records right down to goals for and against.

After winning their first three games, Canterbury drew in their latest outings against Auckland and Northland, whereas Midlands started their campaign with draws against North Harbour and Auckland before winning three in three days.

Midlands, coached by former international Hymie Gill, have a sprinkling of recent and past internationals including Kate Mahon, Sally Rutherford, Cat Finlayson, Kim Green and Robbie Matthews along with Dutch guest players Maartje Scheepstra and Kiki Collot d'Escury.

A win over Canterbury would continue their determined bid to return the final and with it the chance to avenge last year's loss to Central.

In six attempts, Midlands have yet to win but they have finished in the top three for the past three seasons. They beat Capital 4-1 yesterday with Finlayson scoring twice.

Canterbury, have many players back from last year and have been bolstered by a number of members of their successful under-21 team who won that tournament earlier in the year.

They are chasing their second NHL triumph but the first since 2002.

Yesterday Canterbury had to come from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with Northland who went ahead in the 19th minute through Hollie Webster. The southerners needed a 56th minute goal from Olivia Merry to secure a point.

With their 3-1 win over Southern yesterday, North Harbour kept themselves in the mix. Petrea Webster scored a hat-trick as North Harbour cruised to their third win and closed to within a point of the joint leaders.

Auckland, who continued their domination of the men's championship by thumping Central 5-1 yesterday, stretched their lead at the top of the table to five points and need only a point from their remaining two games to be assured of top spot.