1st October 2006

Bayleys Midlands women secured top spot on a congested points table after defeating the previously unbeaten Central Mysticks, in Taupo on Sunday.

Clarissa Eshuis struck first for Midlands with a penalty corner direct strike in the 17th minute and then Kiisha Gurran followed up with a field goal late in the half to put Midlands out to a solid 2-0 lead. However, on the stroke of half time, Cathryn Finlayson reduced their hard earned lead from a PC.
Central came out fired up in the second half gaining slight ascendancy in the midfield possession through the efforts of Caryn Paewai and Moira Senior. Lizzie Holmes made some crucial saves and Di Weavers and Robbie Matthews were again at their best in denying the Central strikers clear cut opportunities. The weight of possession eventually told midway through the second half when Tara Drysdale equalised for Central through another PC. But Midlands showed composure and retained the ball better to score the winner with eight minutes to go when Gurran one again was left unmarked to score from a deflection off a free hit from outside the circle. Midlands keeper Lizzie Holmes was named Player of the Day but Weavers, Matthews and Kate Mahon all showed great composure and contributed to the win. Midlands have never made an NHL semi final and they only need one win to secure a piece of history. With games against the bottom placed sides Northland and Wellington to go, they have the potential to remain top of the table going into the finals weekend.

Bayleys Midlands 3 Central Mysticks 2
Half time 2-1 Midlands
Goal scorers - Midlands- Clarissa Eshuis, Kiisah Gurran 2.
Central -Cathryn Finlayson, Tara Drysdale


Central overcame Midlands Men in Taupo in a game of high turnovers. Central scored the only goal of the first half in the ninth minute when Player of the Day Shaun Matthews struck early from the field. Central increased their lead with a goal in the 47th minute when Shea McAleese converted a drag flick penalty corner. Black Stick McAleese had a quiet first half but stepped up well in the second to control the game for Central from the centre midfield and was instrumental in their victory.

Australian guest player Nick Tremayne also played well in the midfield for Central. Midlands scored a consolation goal through an Arif Ali dragflick with two minutes to play. Midlands' best were Sam Elliot in goal with Tim Smith and Chris Thomas in the midfield also effective.
The win puts Central into fifth place and Midlands remain without a point at the bottom of the table.
Central Mysticks 2 Bayleys Midlands 1
Half time score - 1 - 0 Central
Goal scorers- Central- Shaun Matthews, Shea McAleese. Midlands - Arif Ali

In other women's matches (courtesy NZ Hockey)
Southern Storm 2 Mark Cromie Holden Northland 0
Half time score 1 - 0
Goal scorers - Southern - Penny Gough, Toni Townsend
Southern had a well earned 2-0 win over Northland in Whangarei. Despite having far more shots on goal than Southern as well as more possession, the Northlanders could not covert any of their opportunities. Southern in contrast, had fewer chances, but took them well. They also played at greater pace. Player of the Day Penny Gough scored first, in the 24th minute and Toni Townsend added the second in the 47th. Both goals were scored from the field. Tania Crene, playing in the half-line, was the pick of the Northlanders, while Charlotte Harrison also worked hard to create opportunities. For Southern Keeper Helen Scott had a sound game

North Harbour 5 TeRecno Wellington 0
Half time score 3 - 0
Goal scorers- Lizzy Igasan, Jaimee Provan, Michaela Mihailou, Paula
Enoka, Rhianna Buchanan.
Harbour had a confidence building 5 - 0 win over Wellington. They made an emphatic start to the game when Karlie Marloney made a strong run to set up Jaimee Provan in the first minute for an early 1-0 lead.
Australian import Michaela Mihailou made an equally dramatic impact when she was subbed on in the 12th minute picking up the ball instantly and heading straight for goal to score. Harbour's third first half goal in the 20th minute was a Lizzy Igasan solo effort after she broke through from the midfield. In the second half, Harbour again struck early with a Paula Enoka direct penalty corner strike. Their final goal came from another corner, this time Rhianna Buchanan picked up the rebound.
Harbour defender and captain Paula Enoka was named Player of the Day for her all round marshalling from the back and frequent saves and tackles.
Striker Karlie Marloney also played well up front while for Wellington. Beth Jurgeleit in goal, kept the score from escalating.

Land & Marine Aucklanders 2 Tandoori Palace Canterbury Cats 1
Half time score - 1-0 Canterbury
Goal scorers - Auckland - Katie Glynn 2. Canterbury - Liz Perry.
In the only Round Five Women's match played yesterday Auckland pulled off an upset win over League leaders Canterbury. Auckland did well to come back from a 1-0 half-time deficit. Canterbury scored early in the match when Liz Perry scored from a penalty corner layoff in the 3rd minute. Auckland gathered themselves for a stronger second half effort.
Player of the Day Katie Glynn scored both goals, the first in the 47th minute when she pounced after a defensive outletting error by Canterbury. She scored again from a melee in the 62nd minute.

In other Mens matches courtesy NZ Hockey
North Harbour 4 Bordeaux Bakery Wellington 1
Half time score 2 - 0 half time
Goal scorers - North Harbour - Shaun Barnett, Lloyd Stephenson, Simon
Brill, Sinclair Hill. Wellington - Grant Down.
North Harbour produced a well structured and organised performance to convincingly down Wellington in the top of the table clash. Field goals to Shaun Barnett and Lloyd Stephenson gave Harbour at 2-0 half time lead and in the second half it was more of the same with two further goals to Simon Brill and Sinclair Hill. In response Wellington could only manage a consolation goal in the dying minute when Grant Down put away a penalty corner rebound. Wellington, at full strength with Australian Brent Livermore on board and Kyle Pontifex in goal - both back from the World Cup this week - were uncharacteristically inefficient in front of goal and overall turned in a lack lustre performance. For Harbour Ben Collier was awarded Player of the Day and Australian defender Darryl McCormack made a useful debut.

Scenic Circle Canterbury Cavaliers 5 Land & Marine Aucklanders 4
Half time score 1 - 0 Canterbury
Goal scorers Canterbury - Andrew Gardiner 3, Nick Haig, Reuben Koorey.
Auckland - Richard Petherick 2, Hamish Baron, David Samuels.
In a rain affected match which only really took off in the second half, after being suspended temporarily in the first half by heavy Auckland rain, Canterbury just headed off Auckland 5 - 4. Andrew Gardiner stepped up for the Cantabrians, converting three drag flick penalty corners and picking up Player of the day. Canterbury went into halftime with a slender 1 - 0 lead and the game see-sawed from there. By midway through the second half it was 3-3 but two Gardiner corners followed to put Canterbury 5 - 3 up. Richard Petherick added a drag flick of his own for Auckland in reply for a final score of 5 - 4. Petherick was a standout for Auckland, as was Michael Gunn. Canterbury move into third place with the win.

Southern Men 1 Northland 1
Half time score - 1 - 0 Southern
Goal scorers - Southern - Toby Hammond Northland Shay Neal
Northland came back from a 1 - 0 half time deficit to draw 1 - 1 with Southern in Dunedin yesterday. Southern had more of the possession but failed to capitalise. The Player of the Day was Southern's Preteesh Parsotam. Jeremy Botting also played well for the Southerners. For Northland Ashley Holwell had another good game in goal.