The Auckland men and Canterbury women stamped their authority with big wins in the opening round of the National Hockey League today.
Englishman Simon Egerton led Auckland to victory over Northland with a stunning hat-trick, while Joe Crookes scored a double and Jignesh Keshor, Michael Ritchie and Jared Panchia alsomade it onto the scoresheet.
The Capital men recorded a solid 5-2 win over Central, scoring five unanswered goals before the Mavericks hit back with two late consolation goals.
Midlands men defeated North Harbour 3-1 thanks to a Matt Rees-Gibbs brace, while Southern Dogs completed the opening round with a tight 2-1 result over Canterbury.
On the women's side of the draw, defending champions Canterbury opened their campaign by soundly defeating Southern Storm 5-0. The Blackwood sisters combined for three goals, with Bridget scoring two and Georgie adding another, while Anna Wetherall and Rachael McCann also found the back of the net.
A double from Katrina O'Callaghan lead the Capital women past Central Mysticks 4-1, and Midlands surged past North Harbour 3-1.
In the final clash of the opening round, Black Stick Katie Glynn scored a hat-trick to help Auckland edge Northland 4-3 in a game that was much closer on the scoreboard than the stats sheet.
Round two will be played across the country tomorrow before round three gets underway at North Harbour Hockey Stadium next weekend.
Results from the opening round of the National Hockey League:
Men Southern 2 (Jeremy Morris 2) Canterbury 1 (William Davidson) Central 2 (Regan Hughes, Joe Reardon) Capital 5 (Blair Hilton, Benedict van Woerkom, Matt L'Hullier, Stephen Jenness, Jacob Smith) Auckland 8 (Simon Egerton 3, Joe Crookes 2, Jignesh Keshor, Michael Ritchie, Jared Panchia) Northland 0 North Harbour 1 (Dylan Nixon) Midlands 3 (Ronald Brouwer, Matt Rees-Gibbs 2)
Women Southern 0 Canterbury 5 (Anna Wetherall, Bridget Blackwood 2, Georgie Blackwood, Rachael McCann) Central 1 (Elizabeth Redwood) Capital 4 (Aniwaka Roberts, Katarina O'Callaghan 2, Kelsey Smith) Auckland 4 (Katie Glynn 3, Jan Rowsell) Northland 3 (Naomi Evans 2, Jenna Cartwright) North Harbour 1 (Petrea Webster) Midlands 3 (Shiloh Gloyn, SuArn Kwek, Renee Ashton)
