The Northland U15 boys hockey team made the most of a home advantage to post the best finish for seven years in their national tournament in Whangarei last week.
Although the boys couldn't finish with a win - they were outclassed 3-1 by Wellington on Saturday - it was abig step forward for the team and the province with their overall sixth place the first top-eight finish by Northland for seven years at the U15 tournament.
Their final standing was even more satisfying for coach Donna Ford because nine of this year's team will be eligible for next year's tournament, giving them good reason to aim higher in 2013.
She was thrilled with the team's overall effort, with their quarter-final match against Auckland a definite highlight. Auckland were the tournament favourites and eventual champions - beating Bay of Plenty 2-1 in Saturday's final - but were almost tripped up by Northland on Wednesday.
The two sides were level 0-0 at halftime but then Auckland tucked away a couple of goals to seemingly take control of the game until Kurt Ford struck back with 10 minutes to go to set up a thrilling finish.
Despite taking their keeper off, Northland couldn't find an equaliser but they gave Auckland a nasty scare before taking aim at fifth place in the crossover matches.
They overcame a talented Manawatu 3-1 at ITM Rosvall Stadium to go into Saturday's fifth and sixth place playoff. They were 2-1 ahead at the break thanks to goals to skipper Kurt Ford and Jessie Embling. Manawatu surged back in the second spell looking to level the game but a goal to Josh Parsons finally secured the win for Northland.
Donna Ford said James Agnew had been great in defence for Northland while Patrick Winton and Embling had been the standout midfielders. Kurt Ford was the team's best forward.
