Hockey: Late goal puts Central back on top of the table

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Central claimed bragging rights ahead of tomorrow's semifinals with a 4-3 win over star-studded Auckland in the women's top-of-the-table clash at the National Hockey League yesterday.

Erin Weber's late deflection won the day for Central who went back to the top of the table to claim the No 1 seeding heading into the play-offs.

Locked 2-2 at halftime after Honor Dillon had scored for Auckland, Central stormed home with that late goal after Auckland had got back to 3-3 capitalising on Central being a player short after Karri McMahon was yellow-carded.

Defending champions North Harbour slumped 3-2 against Canterbury in a game in which all the scoring came after halftime.

It was not until the 45th minute the scoring started when Lizzie Rae scored from a penalty corner. Petrea Webster equalised a minute later. A second penalty corner strike - from Sophie Devine - put Canterbury back in front. Aimee Heaps stretched the lead to 3-1 before Harbour coach Bryce Collins took off his goalkeeper and added the extra outfield player.

A second Webster goal 30 secs from time justified the move but it was too little too late and when Midlands edged Southern 2-1 in the last game of the round, North Harbour's top four hopes disappeared to complete a miserable day for the defending champions.

Northland made certain of their top four finish but found pointless Capital a handful before getting home 2-0. Black Sticks teammates Ella Gunson and Anna Thorpe combined to open the scoring after 22 minutes. Carli Michelsen added the second from a penalty corner eight minutes later.

In men's action North Harbour's in and out tournament was again out. A day after handing runaway leaders Capital their first loss, the Greg Fittelii-coached team crashed 4-3 to unsung Southern after Harbour had led 3-0 at halftime.

In late drama, Southern levelled the scores at 3-3 with a penalty stroke; Harbour's Steve Edwards had a penalty stroke brilliantly saved by Southern goalkeeper Hamish McGregor and Kane Russell nailed a 67th minute penalty corner to seal the southerners' second win of the tournament and ensure Harbour's misery continued. It is the first time in six years Harbour, victors in 2007 and 2009, have finished outside the top four.

Central made hard work of it before emerging 5-3 victors over Northland who came back strongly after trailing 0-3 at halftime. Simon Egerton continued his goal-scoring deeds with the opening two goals while Black Sticks striker Nick Wilson scored two in as many minutes late in the game to seal the win and Central's top four finish.

In the last game of the day Auckland stormed to a 4-1 win over Capital to claim top spot and a semifinal against Midlands who beat Canterbury 2-0 to end the southerners' top four hopes.

Goals to former Capital players Phil Burrows and Sam Miskimmin (2) laid the foundation for Auckland's win over Capital who slipped to second and a semifinal with Central.