KEY POINTS:
A stunning 6-2 win over Wellington in a replay of last year's men's national league final handed North Harbour top spot going into tomorrow's semifinals but they still face a tough task, a return clash with Wellington to win through to Saturday's final.
Auckland, beaten 4-1 by Canterbury
in yesterday's early game at Crown Relocations Stadium, are out of contention as Midlands, 5-1 winners over Southern, grabbed the fourth play-off spot and a clash with second-placed Canterbury tomorrow.
Auckland join Central, Southern and Northland in the 5th-8th play-offs.
Canterbury wasted little time in gaining the ascendency over Auckland in the opening game of the seventh (final) round knowing the winner would survive and the loser drop out.
Ahead after two minutes when Jason Bradley provided the final touch to a strong counter-attack, Canterbury took control. Inside 15 minutes they had doubled their advantage and left Auckland hopes in tatters. Craig Paterson provided the final touch from a penalty corner for 3-0 on the half hour.
Shaun Matthews got one back for Auckland 10 minutes into the second half but the final say was with Canterbury's Rueben Koorey.
A Richard Petherick hat-trick helped steer Midlands to their fourth win and safety.
Led by strong games from Tim Smith, player-coach Darren Smith and Casey Henwood, Midlands, ahead 3-1 at halftime were rarely under pressure from Southern who got one back through Simon Beaton before the break.
North Harbour, who lost only to Auckland in round-robin play and returned to the form they showed in walloping Canterbury 7-2 in the second round, took the early lead over Wellington when Bryce Collins scored from open play in the sixth minute.
Two minutes later the visitors were back on terms following a Brent Livermore stroke after a Blair Hopping infringement. David Green tapped in to regain the lead for the hosts and Shaun Barnett, who had another good game, stretched the lead to 3-1 with this first of his two goals.
Matt L'Hullier got one back from a penalty corner before halftime but three goals, including a stunning spin and reverse stick strike from Dave Kosoof, in the second half confirmed Harbour's top spot.
Central scored their second win beating Northland 8-0 on the back of a four-goal haul for Joseph Simpson.
The focus switches to the women this afternoon. Wellington, Northland and North Harbour are already through to the semis with Central and Midlands scrapping for the last spot.
Central can wrap it up with a win over Northland in the day's opener. Should they lose, Midlands would edge past them with their expected win over Southern.
North Harbour need to emulate their men in beating Wellington to grab the top qualifying spot.