KEY POINTS:
The National Hockey League formbook continues to take a hiding with fourth-round upsets adding plenty of spice in the race to find Sunday's finalists.
After cruising along unbeaten and on course for a top-two finish, the Auckland women were undone 1-0 by Canterbury - who had lost three-from-three
- in yesterday's late game.
Anna Wetherall's 32nd-minute goal was only the fourth scored by Canterbury in 280 minutes of hockey. While they are still unlikely to make the top two, they could play a part in sorting out the eventual finalists.
Auckland and Midlands, whose second round 3-3 result remains the only draw of the women's competition, are now locked in second place - five points behind North Harbour who have won their four matches.
North Harbour had their expected tussle with neighbours Northland in the opening game of the day but led by some good work from Karlie Maloney, who scored the last of their three goals. Harbour maintained their perfect record winning 3-0 ahead of today's clash with Midlands.
Goals in each half to Kim Green and Gemma Flynn got Midlands home 2-0 over disappointing Central who were without experienced international Caryn Paewai.
After their shaky start, defending champions Wellington scored their second successive win beating Southern 5-2 with Valissa Armstrong and Niniwa Roberts netting two each.
After failing to snatch a last-ditch win over Wellington with a late penalty corner attempt and having to settle with a 3-3 draw with Wellington, Auckland have had their lead in the men's race cut to one point.
The home side took the early lead when Pat Harris scored the first of his three penalty corner goals but Wellington were back on terms when Gareth Brooks scored. Auckland took the lead on another two occasions but each time Wellington equalised.
North Harbour got their campaign back on track. Their 5-0 win over Central will give them confidence heading into what appear three must-win games against Midlands, Wellington and Canterbury.
Well-led by Black Sticks centre-half Steve Edwards, who scored a goal in each half after Nathanial Joy had given them the early lead, Harbour stormed home with three second half goals and moved into second place.
Guest player Kwan Browne continues to show out for North Harbour, who also had goals from Australian striker Ben Poulton and Joseph Bartholomew as they took their goal tally to 18.
Canterbury's hopes were jolted by Midlands, who produced their best form of the tournament in winning 5-1 after racing to 4-0 by halftime. Canterbury, who have Black Sticks midfielder/defender Brad Shaw only available at weekends, have a two-win two-loss record.
Sanjay Patel opened the scoring for Midlands in the 13th minute. Raynesh Smith then chipped in with a couple before Richard Petherick made it 4-0 with a drag flick. Australian David Guest added the fifth in the second half while Jonathan Pooch maintained his goal-a-match effort with Canterbury's sole reply.
In the battle at the bottom, Northland sneaked home 3-2 over Southern to grab their first points.
The scores were level 1-1 at the interval after goals from Mark Thorne and Southern's Liam Brown. A mis-hit strike from Ben Wyatt put Northland in front and Brett Hood stretched the lead to 3-1 before Blair Tarrant got one back for the southerners.