HOCKEY - Child: It goes against grain

John Child is used to cavorting around the sports field with a piece of wood in his hand.
In summer he wields a cricket bat and his all-round skills see him wearing the provincial badge with distinction; in winter he changes the willow for the hockey stick and anchors the defence for the Northland team.
But there's one piece of wooden-ware Child is not too keen to get hold of - the wooden spoon.
As captain of the Northland men's hockey team, he might have to accept his fate though. His side are staring down the barrell of a horrendous campaign finish tomorrow unless they can somehow conjure up some magic against Auckland at the National Hockey League finals at Albany this weekend.
While the Northland women will be playing a semifinal to try to win their title, Child and the men are eyeing up the battle to avoid coming last.
"The way we have been going, I think we are set for that wooden-spoon game," Child said. "It has been tough, I hate it, the mere fact that we might get that wooden-spoon tag. But when we sat down and talked about it we all realised that we just haven't done the basic things well. That has ruined us really."
A decision from new coach Richard Storey to flag the notion of using imports and instead name a team of Northland-based players might have been quietly applauded for its morality, but it hasn't helped on the results sheet.
The Northland men's team has leaked 46 goals in just seven games, losing six and drawing one, and have found opposition teams stacked with internationals, several of those Australian imports, too hot to handle.
For Child, a sportsman known for his combative nature and competitive drive, it has been a frustrating campaign. But it could change if his team can step up today - they even have a chance to make amends on Sunday.
"Even having a couple of imports, I am not that sure it would have made a big difference looking at the way we have played anyway. We might have been in the same situation," he said.
The Northland women meanwhile are preparing for a semifinal showdown with North Harbour tomorrow. A 2-0 victory over Central yesterday underlined their form this year.
Even before the final seedings for the finals were determined, Northland coach Paul Snelling was casting his eye over the opposition with some trepidation.
"We either pay North Harbour with (former Northlander) Liz Igasan or Wellington with (former Northlander) Suzie Pearce. It doesn't really matter which one."
Snelling said their goal-scoring firepower had been one of the highlights of the season, and a factor they hoped would help them rumble into the final on Sunday.