Hockey: Teens' medal haul at national tourny

With the surge in numbers of young people taking up hockey in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, it is no surprise that rep teams are making giant strides on the national scene.

Midlands men's and women's teams both made Saturday's finals of the National Under-18 Regional Tournament held in Napier.

The women beat Auckland 3-2 to claim the gold medal, while the men could feel a little unlucky to have lost 1-2 to Canterbury.

Midlands women's captain Megan Hull, from Waikato, opened the scoring against Auckland in the 4th minute from a penalty corner and seven minutes later she made it 2-0 with a penalty stroke.

Tauranga's Amy Robinson then scored a fine field goal to make it 3-0 after 23 minutes.

Auckland closed the deficit to 2-3, but Midlands held on for a memorable win and title.

In the men's final, Canterbury captain Dominic Newman opened the scoring with a field goal after seven minutes.

Tauranga's Joseph Lyon's levelled the scored before the break with a well taken goal, but Canterbury again started well and Newman knocked in his second goal to retake the lead.

Midlands were unable to convert three late penalty corners but came close in the final minute when a cross beat the goalie only for a Canterbury defender to clear off the line.