24th Sept 2006

SATURDAY Midlands women went in search of cementing a semi final berth in the National Hockey League during their double header weekend of matches against Auckland and North Harbour.
Midlands travelled to Auckland on Saturday and started in dramatic form when Lymarah Wharerau and Stacey Brannigan combined to earn a PC in the first minute of play. Di Weavers showed her power in driving in the goal from the PC but Auckland immediately responded when Krystal Forgesson found space from a good long ball to nail in the equaliser.
Both sides traded attacks but neither goal was threatened until Kate Savory threw a well weighted pass to George Nation to rocket into the Auckland goal for a 2-1 half time lead. Auckland regained parity 9 minutes into the second half when Lizzie Ryan slotted in a PC. Both sides competed well in the midfield but costly turnovers thwarted realistic goal scoring chances. The game looked destined for a draw with five minutes to play when Nation was fastest to react during a goal mouth melee but once again fought back in the dying seconds to grab a share of the points when Ryan pounced on a rebound. Midlands defender and first goal scorer Di Weavers was named Player of the Day. Other standouts for Midlands included Stacey Brannigan and Lymarah Wharerau. Ryan’s goal hunting was outstanding for Auckland and Kim Noakes was one of the side’s most consistent and versatile players, fitting into several positional changes.
Midlands 3 - Land & Marine Aucklanders 3 H/time score – 2-1
Goal Scorers – Midlands – Di Weavers, George Nation 2, Auckland – Krystal Forgesson, Lizzie Ryan 2

In a high scoring match Midlands men gave hosts Auckland a torrid tussle in the first half.
Auckland hit the front early through a well taken reverse hit shot to Jono Brooker but local joy was short lived when Arif Ali muscled his way into space to reverse in the equaliser. Talented Rotorua teenager Hoete Mitai-Ngatai gave Midlands a surprise lead after 15 minutes from a well taken field goal but Wayne McIndoe levelled the scores for Auckland six minutes later after some sustained attacking pressure. Hard working Craig Paterson deflected in an Arif Ali shot and Ali increased the lead to 4-2 with a well executed drag flick. Auckland showed their experience in quickly responding through wellworked PC variations with McIndoe and Dharmesh Puna scoring. Unfortunately Midlands lacked the same cohesiveness in retaining possession during a lack lustre second half and two second half goals to Richard Petherick and Cain Fleming earned Auckland a hard fought 3 points.

Petherick, playing in his first match since returning from the World Cup with the Black Sticks, was named Player of the Day and controlled the pace of the game well from deep in defence whilst Wayne McIndoe was Auckland’s other standout, playing with composure. Midlands standouts included Arif Ali who scored twice and showing good skill on attack in combination with Craig Paterson who showed good pace and ball retention and Tim Smith and Chris Thomas both worked hard in the midfield.
Midlands 4 - Land & Marine Aucklanders 6 H/time score – 4-4
Goal Scorers – Midlands – Arif Ali 2, Hoete Mitai-Ngatai, Craig Paterson; Auckland – Jono Brooker, Wayne McIndoe, 2, Dharmesh Puna, Richard Petherick, Cain Fleming.

SUNDAY - Midlands women cemented their place in the top four with a good 3-1 win over North Harbour and now lie 3rd on the table.
Lymarah Wharerau opened the scoring with a well taken field goal and Midlands went into half time in a good position after Kiisha Gurran increased the lead after some excellent midfield build up. Harbour pegged one back immediately after the restart when Holly Riini pounced onto a corner rebound. In response Although Harbour looked threatening mainly through their Australian international guest player Michaela Mihailou the experienced heads of Di Weavers (in another player of the day performance) and Robbie Matthews, stepped up to settle and control the game. Midlands midfield dominance was rewarded when Stacey Brannigan drew the keeper and put a nice reverse flick past her for a 3-1 win. Tina McKenzie was also outstanding in goal for Midlands pulling off some crucial and timely saves.
Midlands 3 North Harbour 1, Half time score – 2 - 0
Goal scorers – Lymarah Wharerau, Kiisha Gurran, Stacey Brannigan; North Harbour – Holly Riini.

Bryce Collins’ superb midfield marshalling guided Harbour to a 7-2 win over Midlands.
Collins and Sinclair Hill both scored twice during the romp. Standouts for Harbour included Hill, David Green and Dave Kosoof, with Collins named Player of the Day. For Midlands the standout was Craig Paterson who toiled hard up front and was rewarded with a goal in the first half.
Midlands 2 North Harbour 7 Half time score - 1-4
Goal scorers – Midlands – Johnny Forbes, Craig Paterson;
North Harbour - Bryce Collins 2, David Green, Dave Kosoof , Sinclair Hill 2, Sam Bartholomew.


Other National Hockey League reports Rounds 3 and 4 Sat 23/24 Sept courtesy NZ Hockey media liaison Megan Horsburgh…..
SATURDAY
Four teams remain unbeaten after three Rounds of the National Hockey League. Central and Canterbury lead the Women’s competition, while Wellington and North Harbour are in front in the Men’s.
Women
Central Mysticks 2 TeRenco Wellington 1 Half time score 2 -1 Central
Goal scorers – Central – Jaimee Edwards, Cathryn Finlayson. Wellington - Nicola Hunter
Central notched up their third win from three games with a 2-1 win over Central. The first half was a tense and at times scrappy affair. Central were first to score after Caryn Paewai set up Jaimee Edwards and youngster Cathryn Finlayson added another field goal shortly after. Nicola Hunter pulled one back for Wellington before half time. Nicola Hunter was Wellington’s standout and was unlucky not to score more than just the one goal. For Central Emily Naylor and Verity Sharland were the standouts.
Tandoori Palace Canterbury Cats 3 Southern Storm 1 Half time score – 0 - 0
Goal Scorers – Canterbury – Stacey Carr 2, Aimee Heaps. Southern – Toni Townsend

Despite dominating possession, Canterbury were not at their best against Southern and found themselves paying the price after a scoreless first half when they went 1-0 down two minutes into the second half when Toni Townsend scored for Southern. It wasn’t until the 53rd minute that Canterbury were able to equalise when Stacey Carr converted a stroke. Three minutes later Canterbury went into the lead when Aimee Heaps converted a nice field goal and then Stacey Carr received the ball at the top of the circle in the 67th minute to seal the game. Canterbury squandered numerous penalty corners and field goal scoring opportunities and would have been relieved by the final score line. Player of the Day was Aimee Heaps.
North Harbour 1 Mark Cromie Holden Northland 0 Half time score – 0 - 0
Goal Scorers – Jaimee Provan
In a low scoring game, neither side could break the deadlock until the second half, when Jaimee Provan swooped on a loose ball in the circle. Both sides defended well, Keri Linklater and Tania Crene cut out many of the Harbour attacks, while for Harbour Lizzy Igasan and Paul Enoka worked well together to frustrate Northland’s attempts for an equaliser. Both sides and reasonably equal attacking opportunities. Northland striker Laura Douglas was named Player of the Day for her work rate up front.

Men
Scenic Circle Canterbury Cavaliers 3 Southern Men 1 Half time score – 2-1 Canterbury
Goal Scorers – Canterbury – Brad Shaw, Jason Bradley, Jan Peterson. Southern Chris Ashton
Jason Bradley got Canterbury off to the dream start to this match, when he scored inside the first 30 seconds of the game. Bradley picked up a long ball and deflected it behind the keeper. Southern were not shaken however to their credit and responded with a goal of their own a few minutes before half time through a Chris Ashton tomahawk shot from the top of the circle. Shortly after however Brad Shaw, fresh back on Wednesday from World Cup duties with the Black Sticks, converted a penalty corner drag flick to put the Cavaliers 2-1 up going into the break. There was only one goal in the second half. Canterbury’s Jan Peterson received a nice ball from the back line from Andrew Nation to score in the 48th minute. Standouts for Canterbury were Play of the Day Hugh Copland, Peterson, and Bradley. For Southern Tasmanian arrivals Paul Ancher (midfield) and Tim Devin (striker) contributed strongly.
North Harbour 6 Northland 0 Half time score – 3-0
Goal Scorers – North Harbour – Bryce Collins 3, Priyesh Bhana, Simon Brill 2.

After a close first 20 minutes against Northland, Harbour let loose their goal scoring power and romped to a 3-0 lead by half time. They piled on four more in the second half including a hat trick to Bryce Collins who returned from Monchengladbach, and two for Simon Brill. Harbour’s Priyesh Bhana was named Player of the Day, for his outstanding work rate. Northland’s standout was Joseph Bartholomew who had a high work rate and created opportunities for his side.
Bordeaux Bakery Wellington 4 Central Mavericks 3 Half time score – 2-2
Goal Scorers – Wellington – Joel Baker, Kieran Govers, Umesh Parag, Grant Down Central - Luke Higgie, Shaun Matthews, Shea McAleese

Central did well to match one of the competition’s favourites Wellington, just going down 4-3 after going into the break 2-2. Central went goal for goal in the first half, responding both times Wellington scored with field goals to Luke Higgie and Shaun Matthews. Wellington scored through Joel Baker, also from the field and Kieran Govers converted a drag flick penalty corner. In the second half Umesh Parag put Wellington 3-2 up through the second phase of a penalty corner. Black Stick Shea McAleese levelled things up with a stroke shortly after, before Grant Down scored the winner from open play for a 4-3 final result. Parag was named Player of the Day. Gabriel Rawcliffe was in good form on attack for Central.

SUNDAY
Canterbury and Central continue to lead the Women’s competition after four rounds, with the Cats ahead only on goal differential after a 0-0 draw between the two teams today. Midlands moved into the top four with a win over North Harbour. In the Men’s competition, the top four is unchanged after straightforward wins for Wellington, Auckland, North Harbour and a closer call for Canterbury.
Women
Southern Storm 3 TeRenco Wellington 1 Half time score – 1-1
Goal scorers – Southern – Tineille Charteris 2, Penny Gough. Wellington – Geraldine Blair

Southern Storm registered first points to move off the bottom of the table with a popular home win over last year’s champions Wellington. Wellington scored their first and only goal in the 20th minute through Geraldine Blair, but Southern struck back just a minute later when Tineille Charteris scored the first of her two goals. Front runners Anita Punt and Nicola Hunter put a lot of pressure on Southern down the right flank during the first half, but Player of the Day Jemma Morland stifled many of the attacks to keep Southern in the game. In the second half Charteris scored again just minute into the half and Penny Gough added the third from a breakaway to seal the result. Helen Scott also played well in goal for Southern, while Priya Bhikha was outstanding on defence for Wellington.
Mark Cromie Holden Northland 2 Land & Marine Aucklanders 2 Half time score – 2-1 Auckland
Goal scorers – Northland – Anna Thorpe, Laura Douglas. Auckland - Lizzie Ryan, Krystal Forgesson

In a fast paced game, Northland forced a 2-2 draw against Auckland after being 2-1 down at half time. Anna Thorpe opened the scoring for Northland in the 12th minute, pouncing on a loose ball, but Auckland responded with two quick goals to Lizzie Ryan and Krystal Forgesson in the 20th and 23rd minute. Northland came out hard in the second half and was quickly rewarded by a goal to Player of the Day Laura Douglas. Tania Crene was a standout on defence for Northland and Danielle Hoby made some strong saves in goal for Auckland. Forgesson and Clarke were in good form up front. The draw was Auckland’s second of the weekend.
Tandoori Palace Canterbury Cats 0 Central Mysticks Half time score - 0 - 0

The closeness in form between League front runners Canterbury and Central was borne out by a 0-0 draw, dominated by a midfield battle. Canterbury created more chances than Central, but were unable to finish and the final result was a fair indication of the game. Canterbury still lead the table, but purely on goal difference and even that is close, with the Cats having scored nine goals and conceded one and Central having scored the same amount but conceded two more. Player of the Day was Emily Naylor. Other Central standouts included Caryn Paewai and Tara Drysdale while for Canterbury, Kate Saunders and Bridget Kight defended well.
Men
Bordeaux Bakery Wellington 8 Southern Men 0 Half time score – 4 - 0
Goal scorers – Umesh Parag 3, Kieran Govers 2, Jamie Schaefer 2, Alistair McIntyre

Southern would have been disappointed by their heavy 8-0 loss to Wellington after a competitive showing against Canterbury the day before. Umesh Parag continued his impressive form in front of goal scoring another hat trick and Australian Kieran Govers picked up two. Parag was named Player of the Day for the second time this weekend and the third time in four games.
Land& Marine Aucklanders 9 Northland 3 Half time score - 6 - 1
Goal scorers – Auckland – Hamish Baron 3, Luke Emerson 2, Jono Brooker 2, Wayne McIndoe, Richard Petherick. Northland – Jordon Clarke 2, Steve O’Connor

Auckland made a dominant start to their one-sided match against Northland, scoring four goals in the first 14 minutes. By half time it was 6-1 with Jordon Clarke picking up Northland’s only goal. The Northlanders came out much stronger in the second half however, and only conceded three further goals while scoring two of their own. Joseph Bartholomew was once again a stand out for Northland as was defender John Child (Player of the Day) and keeper Ashley Holwell, who made some great saves to prevent a bigger scoreline against his side.
Scenic Circle Canterbury Cavaliers 3 Central Mavericks 2 Half time score – 0 - 0
Goal scorers – Canterbury – Jan Peterson, Reuben Koorey, Jason Niles. Central – Shea McAleese, Nick Tremayne

Central did well do foot it with Canterbury but eventually succumbed 3-2 after a scoreless first half. Canterbury came out the strongest of the two teams in the first half, with the Mavericks rallying towards the end of the spell and going close to scoring, but neither side could break the 0 - 0 deadlock going into half time. In the second half the two sides scored goal for goal until the 68th minute when Rueben Korrey scored the winner for Canterbury after a one on one with the keeper. Jan Peterson was named Player of the day.