By BRUCE HOLLOWAY
Home advantage counted for little as Waikato hockey teams endured their bleakest return of the season to date in the national league yesterday.
Waikato women lost 2-0 to Auckland at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton, while the Midland Express men also left the turf empty handed after a 3-2 loss to Auckland.
Greater composure in the first half was the key to the Auckland men's win. The visitors established a 2-0 buffer in the first half, with Phil Lowe scoring twice.
Possession still favoured Auckland in the second half, but Midland made far more of a contest of it, and were rewarded with a penalty stroke to David Burns in the 44th minute.
Dean Couzins replied with a stroke for Auckland, but Blair Hopping gave Midland hope by pulling a goal back in the 53rd minute from a corner.
Hopping was the stand-out player for Midland, combining well with Yogesh Hari on attack, and his goal set up a tense final few minutes. Draft forward Lucas Judge also caused problems for Auckland.
But former Waikato player Dharmesh Puna was named player of the day for his defensive work.
In the early match, player of the day Krystal Forgesson scored twice to clinch Auckland's 2-0 win over Waikato. Forgesson struck early in the first half, deflecting a strong drive into the circle from Charlotte Burtt.
The rest of the first half ebbed and flowed, though Auckland keeper Helen Clarke needed to be on form to keep Waikato off the scoreboard.
Forgesson's second goal came in the 64th minute, when she picked up a rebound from Waikato keeper Candy Hart and lifted it over in second phase play from a corner.
Meredith Orr and Kate McKay impressed on attack for Auckland but the Waikato forwards struggled to find continuity against Auckland's defensive wall.
Midland Express's Dean Armstrong attempts to save a penalty stroke from Aucklands Dean Couzins.
"Not this time!" as University Blue, Dean Armstrong denies Auckland another goal.
