Canterbury survive scare
Defending champions Canterbury made hard work of it against the hosts but emerged with a perfect record after two days of the National Hockey League in Wellington.
After a 3-0 win over Southern to open their title defence, the Cats pipped Capital 1-0 yesterday as they eye a day off and build towards Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Striker Rachel McCann delivered the winning goal from a penalty corner midway through the second quarter to keep the Cats undefeated.
Black Stick Kelsey Smith was outstanding for Capital but the hosts are yet to trouble the scorers after two days, having opened with a 2-0 defeat to Auckland.
Midlands women made a statement with an impressive 4-1 win over Central to highlight day two.
After Saturday’s frustrating loss to Northland, Midlands made their chances count against Central with two goals in each half. Defender Natasha Fitz Simons starred with a hattrick all scored from penalty corners while Gemma McCaw added another with a well-worked field goal.
Auckland came away with their second straight win after two early goals helped them overcome the Southern Storm 2-1.
Julia King opened the scoring for Auckland in the fifth minute after converting from a penalty corner before Deanna Ritchie fired home her side’s second goal with a strong forehand shot. Southern pulled one back through Ellie Duncan from an 11thminute penalty corner.
Northland held on to defeat North Harbour 4-3 as heavy rain pelted down on the final match of the day at the National Hockey Stadium. Northland led 4-1 at halftime after goals from Stacey Michelsen, Tyler Lench, Brooke Neal and Ashlyn McBurnie.
The men had yesterday off after a frantic opening day where North Harbour snatched a 4-3 win over Capital in a thriller.
Capital led 3-1 and looked set for an upset but Harbour fought back and poured on three goals in the fourth quarter to take the result. Cory Bennett featured with a double from penalty corner drag flicks while Robbie Capizzi and Matt Symonds also found the back of the net.
Last year’s runners-up Canterbury had an emphatic 10-1 result over Northland fuelled by a four-goal bag from striker Sam Lane.
Auckland were impressive as they warded off Central 3-0, while Southern downed Midlands 2-1 in cold and wet conditions with Nick Ross scoring the deciding goal in the 35th minute.