Hockey: Canterbury make it six of the best

By Terry Maddaford

A slice of Anna Lawrence magic was all Canterbury needed for their 1-0 victory over perennial rivals Auckland in Christchurch yesterday and a record sixth successive national women's hockey title.

But any thought of a Canterbury double in the inaugural Lion Foundation National League crashed on Saturday when their men's team blew a 3-1 halftime lead against Wellington and lost 5-3.

For Canterbury captain Rachel Petrie and team-mate Diana Weavers victory was especially sweet as they have played in all six winning sides - all against Auckland.

Lawrence, the New Zealand captain and arguably the best Kiwi player in the game today, clinched victory with a spectacular 15th-minute reverse sweep low into the net. A solitary Lawrence goal also gave Canterbury victory when the two sides met a fortnight ago in pool play.

The visitors had their chances in yesterday's final, but a resolute Canterbury defensive effort led by Petrie and Jenny Duck kept them out.

Behind them goalkeeper Anne-Marie Irving was solid, as was Helen Clarke in the Auckland goal. Both should be named in the New Zealand team for the Champions Trophy today.

In a minor upset, Manawatu beat Wellington 4-3 for third place. The match was decided in extra time with Moira Senior's sudden-death winner.

In the crucial fifth-sixth playoff, Hawkes Bay/Wanganui thumped a disappointing North Harbour 6-1 after leading 3-0 at halftime.

Ahead inside four minutes, the visitors, led by the ever-likely Robyn Matthews, retained control throughout the first spell.

North Harbour lifted their game in the second half, forcing a number of penalty corners but converting just one.

Harbour now face the long wait for the promotion-relegation tri-series in October with the North and South Island tournament winners.

Auckland and Wellington will meet in Sunday's men's final in Wellington.

Hopes of at least one final in Auckland were dashed when their men were upset 4-3 in a penalty shootout by North Harbour after the home side fought back from 1-2 at halftime - when a floodlight failure resulted in a 20-minute delay - to finish level at 4-4.

Former North Harbour player Bryce Collins gave Auckland a 4-3 lead in the 62nd-minute, but handed Harbour the bonus point when his weak penalty attempt was easily saved by Paul Woolford.

Wellington booked a home final with their win over Canterbury while Harbour will travel to play Canterbury in the playoff for third.

A dramatic winner two minutes from time gave Northland their 4-3 home win over Midland Express. The two teams will return to Whangarei on Saturday for the fifth-sixth playoff.