"We have been getting better with each game and that's what you want."
It was a good day for Midlands. Their women made sure of their spot in the last four with a 3-2 win over Northland yesterday, their goals coming from the prolific Renee Ashton - the highest scored in the K Cup with eight - Black Sticks midfielder Gemma Flynn and Su Arn Kwek.
"It was a bit of a battle today and we put ourselves under a little bit of pressure," Midlands captain and international Sam Charlton said last night.
"But it was good to get a bit of confidence going into Saturday. In the last couple of games we've managed to put together some good performances so we're reasonably happy with our form."
The men then bumped North Harbour out of the semifinals with a 4-0 win over Central in the final game of the night, the goals shared among four players.
Harbour had earlier given themselves a lifeline with a 2-1 win over Canterbury, only for Midlands to rip it away.
Canterbury had a surprise appearance from former international and penalty corner expert Hayden Shaw.
He flew up in the morning to help Canterbury out after his brother Bradley was ruled out by an ear infection.
Midlands finished level on 16 points with Canterbury and North Harbour, but squeezed the hosts out on the countback system.
It was a day of shootouts, the first four games of the final day of round robin games needing the decider method.
Auckland's men were one of those, edging out Capital 4-2, after the game was locked 2-2 at fulltime.
Dwayne Rowsell and Simon Egerton scored Auckland's goals which have them in good shape for their Challenge Shield defence.
English international Egerton's nine goals have him hot on Southern's international striker Hugo Inglis' heels for top tournament scorer, Inglis sitting on 10.
In tomorrow's men's semifinals, defending champions Auckland play Midlands and Canterbury meet Southern; for the women, Auckland play Capital and defending champions Canterbury face Midlands.
