Hockey: Unfancied teams pull some big surprises

By Terry Maddaford

The seedings took a hiding on the last day of the inaugural men's hockey league with hot favourites Auckland dumped 6-2 in the final by fourth seeds Wellington and unheralded North Harbour continuing their storming late run to upset second seeds Canterbury 3-2 in the playoff for third.

In handing Wellington the Lion Foundation League - they won the last of their 13 previous titles 21 years ago and last played the final in 1991 when beaten by the northerners - Auckland captain Brett Leaver looked no further than his team's own inadequacies in failing to convert more than one of the 16 or 17 penalty corners they won.

"We did not take our chances," said Leaver after watching his side go through pool play unbeaten - losing only in penalty shootouts after draws against Canterbury and North Harbour - including a 7-4 romp against Wellington.

The home side began strongly, going ahead after six minutes when Phillip Burrows capped a good move with a shot under Auckland goalkeeper Scott Anderson. Wayne McIndoe increased Wellington's lead 22 minutes later from a penalty corner.

The desperate Aucklanders got one back a minute from halftime when Bryce Collins scored.

Roshan Parag re-established Wellington's two-goal advantage early in the second spell when he pounced on a loose ball and lifted it over Anderson. Hemant Lala scored from a penalty corner in the 47th minute and Parag added his second six minutes later for 5-1.

Collins reduced that with a drag flick from a 65th-minute penalty corner before Lala completed the scoring with a late penalty stroke.

"We don't get many chances to win at this level," said Wellington captain Umesh Parag. "We were not going to let the opportunity go, that's for sure."

The loss completed a double the Auckland association would rather not have. Both their women (against Canterbury) and men were beaten in their finals.

Canterbury captain John Radovonich gave his side their 12th- minute lead from a penalty corner against North Harbour in Christchurch.

They held that advantage until seven minutes into the second spell when Paul Rose scored. He added his second five minutes later to sting the home side into action.

Paul Derham grabbed the 50th- minute equaliser from another penalty corner but North Harbour captain and former international Shane McLeod gave himself and his spirited team-mates a fitting farewell present when he converted a 58th minute stroke.

In the playoff for fifth, third seeds Northland made the most of their home advantage to beat Midland Express, seeded fifth, 3-1.

In an action-packed start to the game in Whangarei, James Nation converted a penalty corner after two minutes for the home side. Chris Knight replied from open play two minutes later before Craig Reynolds hit back in the 10th minute to get Northland back in front.

The only other goal came five minutes into the second spell when Troy Hari continued his goal- scoring efforts for Northland, who held on to win and send Midland Express into the end-of-season triangular playoffs for a place in next season's league.