Midlands women got their national league campaign back on track yesterday in Hamilton with a timely 3-1 defeat of Central.
Coach Alan Galletly said the win over Central was an important fillip following Saturday's 4-2 defeat at the hands of title favourites Wellington.
"We played superbly today, really well, but everyone who
saw us against Wellington said we did well there too, it's just that we were kept out by some very good goalkeeping and Niniwa [Roberts'] penalty corners."
Lymarah Wharerau scored once for Midlands yesterday, her second goal in two days, while Stacey Brannigan got two. Galletly said Wellington's 5-1 second-round drubbing of Auckland put the opening day's loss in perspective.
"They're the benchmark, a slick side and the team most likely to win the whole thing. But there's six teams there after today still very much in the hunt.
"The girls, after two tough games in the space of a day, are pretty tired but we'll have a day's rest and get right back into it on Tuesday."
North Harbour claimed outright leadership of the men's national league in emphatic fashion, drubbing Canterbury 7-3 during second-round action.
Considered top-four contenders, Canterbury were dealt a harsh reality check after North Harbour cleared out to a 3-0 halftime lead.
North Harbour lead Midlands and Wellington by two points after two rounds of competition.
Wellington edged out Auckland 2-1 with Stephen Jenness providing the deadlock-breaker in the 53rd minute while Midlands, who pip Wellington on goal difference, banked a 3-1 victory over Central.
Wellington lead unbeaten Northland and North Harbour on goal difference in the women's competition after the Whangarei-based side completed a 2-0win over sixth-placed Southern thanks to strikes by Anna Thorpe and a diving reverse flick deflection by Black Stick Charlotte Harrison. North Harbour improved their goals for and against ratio with a 3-1 win over Canterbury.
