Midlands, Auckland take Under 18 titles

The Midlands Men and Auckland Women have taken out this years titles at the National Under 18 Tournament in Palmerston North.

The mens final between Midlands and North Harbour was on a knife edge for the entire game with neither side able to score a winning goal in regulation time, ending with a 0-0 draw.

In the shoot-out, Midlanders Tim Neild, Garrick Du Toit, Zane Anderson, Reuben Andrews and Kalpesh Morar netted while goalkeeper Alexander Hasselman-Black ensured the crucial miss from Harbour.

In the mens bronze medal match, Auckland defeated Central 3-1 thanks to goals from Jonny Bates, Xavier Guy and Shae Iswar.

Reuben Andrews was named Mens Most Valuable Player for the tournament, while he also finished joint top goal scorer with four penalty corner conversions.

In the womens final, Auckland overcame Central with a 3-1 shoot-out victory after the score was deadlocked 3-3 at fulltime.

Ailsa Connely scored a double for Auckland while Kate Ivory added her sides third goal, while Central recovered from a two goal deficit to equalise with Megan Phillips, Emma Rainey and Casey Crowley finding the back of the net.

In the shoot-out Auckland goalkeeper Sophie Howard forced three misses from Central to lead her side to the gold medal.

Canterbury secured the bronze medal with a tight 2-1 result over Capital thanks to a double from Emily Wium.

Wium finished top goal scorer at the tournament with nine field goals while Aucklands Amelia Marlow was named Womens Most Valuable Player.

Mens Final Standings

1. Midlands

2. North Harbour

3. Auckland

4. Central

5. Southern

6. Capital

7. Northland

8. Canterbury

Womens Final Standings

1. Auckland

2. Central

3. Canterbury

4. Capital

5. North Harbour

6. Midlands

7. Northland

8. Southern



- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ