By TERRY MADDAFORD
Last round victories gave the North Harbour men and Auckland women the chance to defend their titles in this weekend's national hockey league final.
North Harbour were under some pressure in their third away game of the Lion Foundation League, but responded magnificently to thump Canterbury 5-3, after
leading 4-0 at halftime.
David Kosoof scored twice for Harbour, and Hymie Gill, Stuart Sutherland and Andrew Kay added the others. Lincoln Churchill scored twice for Canterbury, who will play Wellington for third place.
Harbour will face neighbours Auckland in the final.
Auckland, held 0-0 at halftime by Wellington, ran away in the second spell to win 3-0 with their first goals to Keiran Daji and Troy Hari from penalty corner rebounds. Phil Lowe added the third, three minutes from time.
The final should be a classic. In their round-robin meeting North Harbour and Auckland drew 1-1 with Harbour taking the vital bonus point which has earned them home advantage.
Midland Express lost their chance to reach the playoff for third when beaten 4-2 by Northland in Whangarei. The two sides will meet again in the relegation battle.
Perennial rivals Auckland and Canterbury will play in the women's final.
Auckland booked their place with a gritty 3-1 away win over North Harbour.
The home side took first blood with a goal to Bryonie Hutchinson after five minutes.
Anna Lawrence provided the build-up and Danaka Dorrington the finish for Auckland's 12th minute equaliser.
Lisa Walton gave the visitors the halftime lead and Kim Noakes made certain Auckland would finish with a five-from-five record with her second half goal.
Canterbury dropped a point in their 3-3 draw with Manawatu.
Ahead early through Penny Munns, who later added a second, Canterbury led 2-1 at the break before the visitors hit back with goals from Kayla Sharland and Piki Hamahona.
Canterbury won the penalty stroke tiebreaker 6-5.
Wellington, spearheaded by four goals from international striker Niniwa Roberts, thumped Otago 5-0 after leading 4-0 at halftime.
That win gave Wellington fourth place on goal difference from North Harbour.
Wellington will be away to Manawatu in the play-off for third, and North Harbour will have the home advantage in the relegation battle.
