Hockey: Women's champions start well

Defending Women's champions Central made a flying start to defending their National Hockey League title but the 5-1 win over Northland was unconvincing.

More impressive were title contenders Canterbury, who scored twice in each half to beat Midlands 4-0; but North Harbour made hard work of their 2-0 win over Southern and will need to find something better when they meet Canterbury at home this afternoon.

Wellington came from behind to beat hosts Auckland 3-2 in the game of the day.

The season opener at Crown Relocations Stadium began evenly but 10 minutes into the game Moira Senior put Central ahead. Late in the first half Alisa Ravji increased it to 2-0 with a field goal deflection.

Northland deservedly closed the gap two minutes into the second spell when Kelsey Dunn touched home. Caryn Paewai scored in the 39th minute, a stunning reverse shot, to re-establish Central's two-goal lead which Ravji then stretched to 4-1.

In the dying seconds Monique Anderson got the final touch from a penalty corner to complete the favourite's comfortable win.

North Harbour made too many sloppy passes and too much ball given away cost them dearly. They got home with a goal in each half, the first from Lizzy Igasan after her sister Connie had worked her way into the circle, and the second in the 44th minute when Rhianna Buchanan got the final touch at the far post from a penalty corner.

Canterbury failed to convert any of seven penalty corner chances in the first half but still went in 2-0 ahead following late strikes from Stacey Carr and Jo Galletly. Aimee Heaps increased their lead early in the second half and Carr showed her class with a second, a reverse-stick stunner, to ensure maximum points.

Kristy Redfern gave Auckland the lead after six minutes with the final touch at a penalty corner. Wellington drew level in the 30th minute with Gerry Blair's field goal.

New Zealand captain Suzie Muirhead put the visitors in front with a 51st minute field goal but Auckland hit back through Keita Miru five minutes later to set up a tense final 15 minutes.

Three minutes from time Liz Perry scored from a penalty corner to give Wellington the points.

Auckland meet Central at 2pm today at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY