18th Sept 2006

Saturday 16 Sept
Women
Land & Marine Auckland 8 Southern Storm 1
Half time score 2-0 Auckland
Goal scorers – Auckland - Krystal Forgesson 3, Lizzie Ryan 3, Hannah Newman, Jane Clarke. Southern – Tineille Charteris
Auckland got off to a high scoring start to the NHL an 8 – 1 romp over Southern. Lizzie Ryan and Krystal Forgesson both scored hat tricks. Forgesson’s last goal, a beautiful reverse strike from the top of the circle, close to full time, was the goal of the match. Tineille Charteris picked up a consolation goal for Southern midway through the second half, but overall the Southerners struggled to keep pace with the speed and skill throughout the Auckland lines. Jemma Morland and Penny Gough worked hard in defence for Southern however, while Sian Bremner was a key Auckland playmaker.

Tandoori Palace Canterbury Cats 1 Bayleys Midlands 0
Half time score 0-0
Goal scorers – Canterbury – Jane Maley
One of the title favourites, Canterbury, came through round one with three points, but had all sorts of trouble penetrating an outstanding Midlands defence. It wasn’t until midway through the second half that the Cats scored, through their fourth penalty corner, when Jane Maley picked up the rebound from a Kate Saunders direct strike. Despite controlling around 80 percent of possession throughout the match, Canterbury were unsettled by a rock solid Midlands defence marshalled by Di Weavers with good support from Kate Mahon and Clarissa Eshuis. Stacey Carr was the pick of the Canterbury lineup, playing at right half. It was also good to see Meredith Orr also returning to top class hockey after injury, playing in the centre midfield.

Central Mysticks 5 North Harbour 1
Half time score 4-0
Goal scorers – Central - Bryonie Phillips 3, Jaimee Edwards 2. North Harbour – Holly Riini
Central had a solid start to the NHL with a comprehensive 5-1 win over a sub-par North Harbour. Byronie Phillips picked up a hat trick and Jaimee Edwards scored twice. Up 4-0 by half time, Central were never threatened by Harbour who only managed a scrambled goal from the second phase of a penalty corner which was finished by Holly Riini midway through the second half. Central had too much strength right through their lines for Harbour who lacked cohesion. Standouts for Central were Sheree Phillips on defence and Emily Naylor at right half. Central will be a team to watch as they continue to develop already sound combinations.

Terenco Wellington 2 Mark Cromie Holden Northland 2
Half time score 1-1
Goal scorers – Northland – Charlotte Harrison 2. Wellington Joanne Holdaway, Nicola Hunter .
Defending champions Wellington fought back for the only draw of the day, against Northland. Wellington struck first early in the match when Joanne Holdaway scored from the field in the sixth minute. For the rest of the half Northland enjoyed the lion share of the possession and went close to scoring several times. It wasn’t until a minute before half time that Charlotte Harrison found the back of the net however, volleying home from close range. Recent Hockeyroo import Ngaire Smith looked sharp and looks like she will contribute strongly to the solidity of the young Northlnd side. Harrison struck again early in the second half from the field to put Northland 2-1 ahead. Wellington responded by sticking to their game doggedly and were rewarded with five minutes to go when Nicola Hunter scored from a corner variation.

Men
North Harbour 2 Central Mavericks 1
Half time score 1-1
Goal scorers – Harbour – Simon Brill, Dave Green. Central - Marcus Emery
North Harbour got of to a stuttering start to the League with a narrow 2-1 win over lower rated Central. Harbour scored first in the seventh minute through a Simon Brill field goal, but Central responded five minutes later through Marcus Emery. Outstanding work from Central goalkeeper Stephen Graham then thwarted Harbour’s attempts to go into the break ahead. Graham saved a well taken stroke by Dave Kosoof. Central constructed a number of attacks but lacked the cohesion of Harbour who became increasingly dominant in the second half as Central tired. Dave Green scored the winning goal for Harbour in the 58th minute.

Bordeaux Bakery Wellington 6 Northland 0
Half time score 2-0
Goal scorers – Umesh Parag 3, Kieran Govers 2, Joel Baker
Retired Black Stick Umesh Parag showed he still has the goal scoring goods with a field goal hat trick for Wellington against Northland. Parag was Player of the Day during the 6-0 romp. Australian Under 21 rep Keiran Govers also proved his early worth as the one of the side’s guest players, picking up two. Other standouts for Wellington included Grant Down and Jason Hilton in the midfield and while for Northland Ashley Holwell pulled off some good saves to prevent a bigger loss. Wellington’s first up performance was clinical and polished, and indicated they will be a strong title contender.

Land & Marine Auckland 5 The Southern Men 1
Half time score 3-1
Goal scorers - Auckland - Dharmesh Puna, David Samuels, Sanjay Patel, Cain Fleming, Wayne McIndoe. Southern - Toby Hammond
Auckland were made to work hard for their 5-1 win over the Southern Men, who showed resilience despite the score line. Auckland scored three times from the field, through David Samuels, Sanjay Patel and Cain Fleming while Dharmesh Puna and Wayne McIndoe both converted corners. Patel was Auckland’s standout with a sound game. McIndoe dominated the midfield and Michael Gunn never gave up. For Southern Ali Birchall worked tirelessly in the midfield and Toby Hammond, the side’s goal scorer, did well up front with slim pickings to work from.

Scenic Circle Canterbury Cavaliers 4 Bayleys Midlands 1
Half time score 1 – 1
Goal scorers – Canterbury- Hugh Copland, Andy Gardiner, Andrew Nation, Jason Bradley. Midlands - Jonny Forbes
A strong second half performance from defending Champions Canterbury saw them safely home 4-1 over Midlands, after the two sides were locked 1-1 at half time. Led by a lively display from striker Jason Bradley, who was named Player of the Day, and great distribution from Andy Hayward, Hugh Copland and Nick Haig, Canterbury were dominant in the second half. For Midlands, Jonny Forbes played with skill and drive for the sole Midlands goal which was well set up by Chris Thomas & Craig Paterson. Tim Smith also worked hard on attack with Sandeep Puna (until sustaining an injury), and Barry Watson solid in the midfield defence.

Sunday
Women
Bayleys Midlands 8 Southern Storm 1
Half time score – 2- 0
Goal scorers - Midlands – Clarissa Eshuis 2, Di Weavers 2, Kiisha Gurran 2, Lymarah Wharerau , Lauren MacMenigall. Southern – Toni Townsend
Midlands strong penalty corner played a big part in their 8-1 romp over Southern. Five of the goals came from corners, with strong hitters Clarissa Eshuis and Di Weavers (Player of the Day), picking up two apiece. Midlands proved they will be a genuine threat to make the top four for the first time. Weavers presence and calling of the corner options, Robbie Matthew’s leadership from the centre midfield and the work of up and comer Kate Savory were features of Midlands’ game. For Southern Jemma Morland and Penny Gough were the standouts.

North Harbour 2 Land & Marine Aucklanders 1
Half time score – 1-1
Goal scorers – North Harbour – Lizzy Igasan, Jaimee Provan. Auckland – Katie Glynn.
North Harbour redeemed yesterday’s poor start against Central with a literally last minute 2-1 win over well regarded Auckland. Auckland scored first in the ninth minute, after Kim Noakes set up Katie Glynn, and then Harbour responded six minutes later when Jaimee Provan scored from a penalty corner. The score remained locked until the final minute of the match when Harbour were awarded a stroke which was converted by Player of the Day Lizzy Igasan. Harbour moved the ball through their layers, far more proficiently than they had the day before. Australian midfielder Michaela Mihailou was another standout for Harbour, as was keeper Bianca Russell who made some good saves in the first half. Kim Green also had a steady game. For Auckland, youngsters Katie Glynn and Melissa Johnson played well.

Central Mysticks 2 Mark Cromie Holden Northland 1
Half time score – 1 – 0 Central
Goal scorers - Central – Kathryn Finlayson, Caryn Paewai. Northland – Stacey Michelsen.
Inability to convert penalty corners cost Northland who lost 2-1 to Central. The young side showed patches of the balanced team they could become, but tended to drift off at times to allow Central to dominate. Central went into half-time with a 1-0 lead after Cathryn Finlayson scored from the field three minutes before the break. Northland responded five minutes into the second half, when Ngaire Smith set up Stacey Michelsen with a nice ball into the circle to tie things up. Central were then awarded a stroke in the 68th minute which was converted by the experienced Caryn Paewai who was a dominant figure up front all game. Moira Senior also showed speed up front for Central and Sheree Phillips defended well. Charlotte Harrison was dangerous on attack for Northland and Nicola Howes was strong on defence.

Tandoori Palace Canterbury Cats 5 Terenco Wellington 0
Half time score 2 -0
Goal scorers – Jane Maley, Aimee Heaps, Honor Dillon, Amanda Hooper, Pip Lloyd.
Canterbury had a comfortable romp over defending champions Wellington, going into the half time break 2-0 up before piling on a further three goals in the second half. The Cats took advantage of a disjointed performance by Wellington and put on a good display, led by Player of the Day Jo Galletely’s tidy play in the midfield. Standouts for Wellington were keeper Beth Jurgeleit and half Angela Croad. Three of Canterbury’s goals were scored from the field and two from penalty corners.

Men
Central Mavericks 2 Northland 2
Half time score - 2-0 Central
Goal scorers – Central - Shaun Matthews, Gabrielle Rawcliffe. Steve O’Connor, Sam Webb.
Northland fought back strongly from a 2-0 half time deficit to force a draw with Central. The Mavericks scored twice in the first half, the first a well taken shot from the top of the circle by Shaun Matthews and the second a deflection by Gabrielle Rawcliffe from a free hit outside the circle. Michael Delaney put a nice ball across for Steve O’Connor to put away eight minutes into the second half for Northland’s first come back goal, and then Sam Webb executed a strong drag flick from a corner with two minutes to play for the equaliser. Standouts for Northland included O’Connor on attack and John Child in defence, while Central keeper Stephen Graham played well in goal. Other Central standouts were defender Daniel Parry, midfielder Shaun Matthews and Nick Ling, who was named Player of the Day for his work in the midfield.

Southern Men 4 Bayleys Midlands 1
Half time score – 2 -1
Goal scorers – Southern– Toby Hammond 4. Midlands Ali Arif
Southern Men will be encouraged by the solid 4-1 win over Midlands. Player of the Day Toby Hammond was the star for the Southerners up front, scoring all four of the goals. He bagged his first three goals from the field, and picked up his fourth from a penalty corner rebound. Jonathan Pooch was also dangerous on attack for Southern. Midlands only goal came in the first half from an Arif Ali drag push which was poorly defended. Standout for Midlands were Chris Thomas and Tim Smith. Midlands lacked the defensive cohesion displayed in the first half against Canterbury the previous day and with the return from injury to key players Joel Rickard and Sandeep Puna should improve.

North Harbour 3 Land & Marine Aucklanders 1
Half time score – 1-1
Goal scorers - North Harbour – Dave Kosoof 2, Sam Bartholomew. Auckland Dharmesh Puna
After weathering a strong start by Auckland for the first quarter of the game, Harbour gathered strongly to take out the match 3-1. Auckland scored first in the 16th minute rewarding a period of sustained pressure. Dharmesh Puna delivered a strong drag flick to the low left of the goal, to put the Aucklanders 1-0 up, but the lead was shortlived. Dave Kosoof struck back for Harbour in the 23rd minute with a nice field goal. He scored again midway through the second half completing a dummy drag flick combination with David Green. Sam Bartholomew converted a stroke to seal the game in the 50th minute. Standouts for Harbour included Sinclair Hill in the midfield, Shane Maddaford in defence and keeper Julian Dapena who made some outstanding saves. For Auckland, fullback Dharmesh Puna was the standout

Bordeaux Bakery Wellington 4 Scenic Circle Canterbury Cavaliers 3
Half time score – 3 – 2 Wellington
Goal scorers – Wellington – Kieran Govers, Joel Baker, Tim Gyles, Jaimee Schaefer. Canterbury – James Nation, Jan Peterson, Andrew Gardiner
Wellington headed off a strong Canterbury challenge in a fast paced game which saw Canterbury playing catch up throughout after Wellington went out to a two goal lead early in the match through a Kieran Govers drag flick and a stroke converted by Jamie Schaefer. From there the sides traded goal for goal, but it was always going to be difficult for Canterbury to catch up. Jan Peterson played well up front for Canterbury while Andy Hayward was a midfield standout. Scott Falconer and Schaefer were solid in defence for Wellington. The capital side showed pace and flair throughout the match and with Hockeyroos captain Brent Livermore still to join them, look very much like an early title favourite.

G Vaughan Hilton
Midlands Hockey Inc
Media Liaison
027 311 9329
Opening match reports courtesy NZHF Media
Vaughan Hilton
027 311 9329 mailto:vaughan@free.net.nz or
mailto:midlandsmedia@free.net.nz