McCaw goal does trick for Midlands

Midlands have snuck past Capital to setup a National Hockey League semifinal against Auckland.

A Gemma McCaw field goal in the fourth minute was enough for the 1-0 win at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington yesterday.

It was a game which Midlands controlled for long periods, creating a host of good chances to extend their lead, although Capital weren’t without the odd good chance down the other end.

In the other quarterfinals, Auckland, who won their pool, needed a shoot-out to beat Central, who finished bottom of pool B. Normal play finished 1-1, before Black Stick Samantha Harrison scored the sudden death winner in the shoot-out.

North Harbour got revenge over Canterbury for their defeat in last year’s final with a 2-1 win. Stephanie Dickins scored a double, including the winner with two minutes to go.

They will meet Northland in their semifinal, after the latter easily saw off winless Southern 7-1.

In the men’s quarterfinals, Midlands suffered a similar fate to the Central women, forcing top qualifier Auckland into a shoot-out before losing it in sudden death. They might feel a bit hard done by, with Erik Bouwens’ appearing to be tripped by Auckland goalkeeper Devon Manchester, before his sprawling shot crossed the line just after the hooter went. Calls for a retake fell on deaf ears.

It was smoother sailing for the other top qualifier, North Harbour, as they hammered Northland 7-0.