Hockey: Northland women get first win, men leak 10 goals

Alana Millington looks to strike during Northland's 3-2 win over Central in the NHL. Photo/John Stone

Northland's two NHL teams had contrasting days against Central at Kensington Stadium.

A double from Samantha Polovnikoff led the women to a 3-2 win while the men were thoroughly outplayed in a 10-0 shutout.

Polovnikoff opened the women's account right at the end of the first quarter to give them a slight lead.

However that advantage was short-lived as Central scored two minutes after the break through a field goal from captain Michaela Curtis.

Northland then made a double strike to give them a lead they wouldn't surrender.

First, Neve McLean was the benefactor of quick pressure from the Northland side to put them back in front.

Four minutes later, Polovnikoff capitalised on a penalty corner to give them a 3-1 advantage which they held through to the end of the first half.

Central looked to make a comeback in the second half and started the third quarter in promising fashion.

They took full toll on a penalty corner when Pippa Norman scored to bring them within one.

However neither side were able to add to their tally meaning Northland had their first win of the competition, moving them to fifth on the ladder.

Northland's Hadley Greenhalgh outsprints Central's Hayden Phillips. Photo/John Stone

The men, on the other hand, will have some soul-searching to do following their loss.

Things started badly when Central's Martin Atkinson opened their account in the second minute.

He followed that with another six minutes later and after Brennan Alexander-Parker nabbed one for himself, Northland were facing a three goal deficit after just one quarter.

A better effort from Northland in the second quarter was noted but Central still managed to break the defence through Matt Young.

Down 4-0 at halftime, Northland needed a fast start to get back into the contest.

But it was Central that showed the initiative. Atkinson completed his hattrick in the 35th minute.

Dylan Thomas got himself a double within the next three minutes to give them a 7-0 lead going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, goals from Alexander-Parker, Young and Hayden Phillips put the icing on the cake for Central as they romped to a 10-0 victory.

The loss leaves the men firmly entrenched at the bottom of the table.

In other men's fixtures, North Harbour have gone clear at the top of the standings after beating the Canterbury Cavaliers 2-1.

Midlands downed defending champions Capital Cobras 2-1 thanks to a strong opening quarter which saw Leo Mitai-Wells and Zac Woods find the back of the net.

In women's results, the Canterbury Cats jumped to the top of the table on 13 points after a tight 1-0 win over North Harbour.

Midlands consolidated fourth place on 10 points following a straightforward 4-0 victory against Capital thanks to a commanding second half.