National Hockey League 2009 Round One, Saturday 12 September
Defending champions Midlands got off to a good start in the Men’s competition with a 6 – 4 win over Auckland. Malaysian import Raju Sandrakasi had a solid impact up front and Richard Petherick converted too drag flick penalty corners. Midlands went into half time 3 – 1 up and maintained the two goal buffer, by the completion of the match. North Harbour were as expected too strong for Northland, winning 6 – 1. Wellington were equally dominant over Central, winning 7 – 1. On Sunday, Canterbury downed Southern 7 – 3, Hayden Shaw scoring a hat trick. Southern played creatively to score their three goals and were far from disgraced.
In the Women’s competition defending champions North Harbour also had a solid start, beating Northland 4 – 2. The young Northland side could not contain the scoring power of the star studded side. Auckland, who on paper, many are picking to take out the League, had a disappointing start going down 2 – 0 to Midlands. Auckland have three Black Sticks strikers in their ranks, and would have been disappointed not to get on the scoreboard. Players of the Day for Midlands were Cathryn Finlayson who created space well and got in behind the Auckland defence, while Gemma Flynn and Chloe Rogers dominated the midfield, controlling the game well. For Auckland Katie Glynn and Sam Harrison looked dangerous with the limited opportunities that they had. Central disposed of Wellington 5 – 0. Kayla Sharland and Michaela Curtis shone for Central, while former Black Stick Niniwa Roberts was Wellington’s standout. Canterbury beat Southern 6 – 0 on Sunday.
Saturday
Men
North Harbour 6 (Priyesh Bhana 2, Isaac Staples, Dave Kosoof, Steve Edwards, Joe Bartholomew. Northland 1. (Brad McLeod). H:T 3 – 0. Midlands 6 (Richard Petherick 2, Raynesh Smith, Lloyd Stephenson, Raju Sandrakasi, Hugo Inglis, Auckland 4 (Steven Davison 2, Hamish Baron, Simon Child. H:T 3 – 1 Midland. Wellington 7 (Matt L’Hullier 2, Blair Hilton, Jason Hilton, Joel Baker, Lewis Brill, Tim Gyles. Central 1 (Rowan Yeo). H:T 5 – 0.
Women
North Harbour 4 (Stacey Michelsen, Carli Michelsen, Jasmin McQuinn, Jaimee Edwards). Northland 2 (Anna Weir 2) H:T 2 – 0 North Harbour. Midlands 2 (Clarissa Eshuis, Gemma Flynn) Auckland 0. H:T 1 – 0. Central 5 (Caryn Paewai, Tara Drysdale, Kayla Sharland, Piki Hamahona, Michaela Curtis) Wellington 2 (Niniwa Roberts, Lisa Kufer). H:T 2 – 1 Wellington.
Sunday 13 September
Women
Canterbury 6 (Anna Wetherall, Megan Wall, Fiona Morrison, Bridget Blackwood, Liz Perry, Sian Fremaux) Southland 0. H:T 3 – 0.
Men
Canterbury 7 (Hayden Shaw 3, Cameron Hayde 2, Craig Paterson 1, Reuben Koorey 1) Southern 3 (Todd Gould, Chris Ashton, Chris Goldsbury). H:T 4 - 1
