At a glance

Round nineAuckland (Darren White 39’, Ryan de Vries 42’, pen 85’) Tasman United 1 (Brian Kaltack 14’) HT: 2-1; Waita¯kere United 0 Eastern Suburbs 2 (Andre de Jong 19’ 40’) HT: 2-0; Team Wellington 0 Southern United 0. HT: 0-0; Canterbury United 3 (Stephen Hoyle 18’, Travis Nicklaw 20’, Gary Ogilvie 30’ pen) Hawke’s Bay United 0. HT: 3-0; Wellington Phoenix reserves 3 (Luke Tongue 53’, James McGarry pen 82’, Ollie Whyte 88’) Hamilton Wanderers 1 (Tommy Semmy 46’). HT: 0-0.

Auckland City 19, Team Wellington 17, Waitakere 14, Eastern Suburbs 14, Canterbury United 13, Southern United 11, Tasman United 10, Wellington Phoenix reserves 9, Hawke’s Bay United 9, Hamilton Wanderers 1. after picking up a second yellow for a rash challenge, but the Southerners held on to claim a point.

At the halfway stage of the season, they already have one more point than they managed in their entire 2016-17 campaign.

Canterbury United moved up to fifth on the back of a comprehensive win over Hawke’s Bay United at English Park on Sunday – their fourth victory in their five past outings.

Stephen Hoyle, Travis Nicklaw, and Gary Ogilvie, from the penalty spot, all scored in the first half.

After that Hawke’s Bay had no response – they have only scored seven goals all season, the worst mark in the league.

They have nine points at the halfway stage, and join Southern and Tasman, who have 11 and 10 respectively, in a group of three teams just hanging on to the top four race.

The Wellington Phoenix reserves have nine points as well, but aren’t allowed to qualify for the playoffs. Nevertheless, they continued their good run of recent form on Saturday, coming from behind to defeat Hamilton Wanderers 3-1 at home.