Hockey: Stars shine in second-round goalfests

By TERRY MADDAFORD

One established international and one almost certainly on his way to the big time played key roles in second-round national hockey league action.

Mandy Smith scored a hat-trick in Auckland's win over North Harbour, while in the Auckland men's team, Sunil Unka went one better with four goals at the expense of Northland.

Out of the game for the first 15 minutes, New Zealand striker Smith wasted no time in kick-starting what was to become a nine-goal romp at Rosedale Park.

Smith scored her first within two minutes and added a second a minute later. At 2-0 Auckland were firmly in control and eventually raced to 9-0 after leading 4-0 at the break.

North Harbour had their chances but they were always struggling against a team stacked with internationals.

With player of the day Smith running the show, Auckland raced to 6-0 early in the second spell. To their credit, the home side held them scoreless for one 16-minute period before Dannaka Dorrington broke that drought.

The remaining goals were scored by captain Kylie Foy and Dorrington (two each), Lisa Walton and Karen Syddall.

Auckland and Canterbury share the lead at the top of the Lion Foundation League table with six points each and already seem destined to meet in the final.

Canterbury swamped Mana-watu 7-1 in Christchurch with Anna Lawrence grabbing five in taking her season tally to eight.

In the other women's game, Wellington made the most of their home advantage in beating Otago 8-1.

In yesterday's men's game, Auckland, after having their first-round match washed out, got their season under way with a 4-2 win in Whangarei.

Ahead early, Auckland failed to capitalise on the advantage of having an extra player when Bevan Gibbs was sent off after 15 minutes. The home side battled back to 1-1 at halftime but the pressure of playing with just 10 men told.

Unka, acknowledged as perhaps close to an international call-up, scored all four for Auckland - all from penalty corners.

In Saturday action, surprise early leaders North Harbour played out a 4-4 draw with Wellington.

The home side - and defending champions - had the greater share of possession, forcing 13 penalty corners to none, but North Harbour battled resolutely.

Umesh Parag scored all four for Wellington while Andrew Kay continued his good start to the season in scoring two for North Harbour. Richard Redfern opened the scoring for the visitors after just three minutes and David Kosoof added the second after 13.

North Harbour led 3-2 at halftime and later 4-3 until Parag grabbed the vital equaliser three minutes from time.

In the penalty stroke decider for the bonus point, North Harbour won 4-2.

Canterbury's woeful start continued when beaten 3-1 at home by the combined Midland Express side.

Goals to Blair Hopping and Karl Sanders inside 13 minutes gave the visitors a 2-0 lead. A brilliant solo goal from Andrew Robertson closed the gap before Umesh Hari re-established the two-goal margin before the break to complete the scoring.