Hockey: Auckland runaway leaders

Northland's Stacey Michelsen is showing her international credentials with three goals so far in the competition. Photo / Nick Reed

Star-studded team look favourites to win Challenge Shield final in Whangarei.

A wise betting man wouldn't go against Auckland marching on to the Challenge Shield final in Whangarei this week at the national hockey league tournament.

The winners of the last four cups (albeit sharing the title with Central in 2011) are runaway leaders going into the last two rounds of round-robin play, six points clear of second-placed Capital, whom they face in the sixth round today. They've scored 17 goals in their first five games, more than any other team.

New coach Lloyd Stephenson is liking what he's seen from his international-laden team.

"Absolutely. In large parts we're playing really good hockey," former international Stephenson said yesterday. "We're creating plenty of good opportunities and dominating a lot of possession for large parts of the game. Certainly we're finishing games pretty strongly, so there's plenty of positives."

Auckland will be without Black Sticks veteran midfielder Ryan Archibald for today's game, and possibly the round-seven clash against Southern tomorrow, but expect him back for finals weekend. Work commitments have had Archibald back in Auckland during this week.

Capital aren't short on quality, with Black Sticks Alex Shaw, Blair Hilton, Stephen Jenness and Jacob Smith, and have conceded only five goals, one fewer than Auckland.

Northland fell at the final hurdle in last season's K Cup, beaten by a solitary goal by Auckland. They lead the women's competition and face second-placed Canterbury today.

They are on a four-game winning run after losing their opener to North Harbour, and have scored nine goals in their last two games.

While international Stacey Michelsen and Anna Thorpe have scored three each, Northland are spreading their goals around.

In today's sixth round in both men and women's competitions, Northland play Canterbury, Auckland face Capital, North Harbour meet Midlands and Southern host Central.

The semifinals are on Saturday with the finals on Sunday.