Three teams in battle for semi-final spots

Press, 3 September 1986, Page 60

Three teams in battle for semi-final spots

PA Dunedin Hawke’s Bay, North Shore and Canterbury A remain locked in a desperate battle for just two premier grade semi-final spots after the second day of the A.N.Z. national women’s hockey tournament at Logan Park yesterday. The Hawke’s Bay side, the joint defending titleholder, was held to its second consecutive draw of the tournament, when it came from behind to level 2-2 with North Shore and this result means any two of the three top teams in pool B could go through. Canterbury A has four points, after a comfortable 3-1 win over its B side, as does North Shore, while Hawke’s Bay has two points courtesy of its two draws. However, today Hawke’s Bay has the “easy” game against Canterbury B and the outcome of the pool will be decided in the North Shore-Canterbury A clash. In the other pool, Otago became the only team to record a 100 per cent record in the Premier Trophy with a 3-1 win over Auckland B, while Auckland A won a key match for it, 2-0 against Waikato to look a good; bet for the semi-finals. ® Waikato will need toi upset Otago today if it hopes to make the top four and that match should be one of the features of the day. Otago had no trouble in beating Auckland, 3-1, but the match was not up to the standard of Monday’s 1-0 win against Auckland A.

Play had only been in progress for 12 minutes when Judith Soper found a gap through which she sent a quick shot to give Otago an early one goal lead. Five minutes later from second phase play following a penalty corner the experienced and capable Jenny McDonald slipped away from her marker and surprised the opposition with a shot from an unexpected direction. However, Otago lifted its standard considerably in the period before halftime and when the interval was called the home team was combining well. Otago led 2-0 at the break. Otago went into a three goal lead when Cindy Smith moved into top gear as she was on to the loose ball in a flash to send in an accurate shot beyond the groping Auckland goalkeeper. Auckland B fought back gallantly and when Otago conceded a penalty stroke Robyn Lye expertly conV verted the opportunity to ; give Auckland its only goal. The Auckland A match against Waikato, the other ; 'in pool A, was a tense, hard struggle, but the over-all standard of play was a little disappointing. Play became a little scrappy and ragged at times. fc Waikato had played well in its previous match and was expected to, fully extend the strong Auckland A team. It had its opportunities to score and wjn the match but its ability to capitalise Was non-existent in this match. Hawke’s Bay, the joint ■ defending champion, had to come back from two goals behind, before sharing "the honours 2-2 in a tightly-contested match against North Shore in pool B. Results.— Premier grade: Auckland A 2 (D. Heaton 1, L. Going 1), Waikato: nil; Otago 3 (J. Soper 1, J. McDonald 1, C. Smith I), Auckland B l (R. Lye); Hawke’s Bay 2 (S. Davies 1, T. Killkolly. 1), North Shore A 2 (J. Dunning 2); Canterbury A 3 (S. Duggar 1, S. Haig I. M. Flannery 1), Canterbury B 1 (G. Kara 1), Floyd Shield: Manawatu 0, Eastern Southland 0; Tauranga 3 North Shore B 2; Wellington A 2 Northland 0; Southland 2 Wairarapa 1. Mills Cup: Wellington B 2, Taranaki 2; Bay of Plenty 2, South Canterbury 0; Mailborough 2, Poverty Bay 1; Nelson 3, Malvern 2. Holden Cup: North Otago 2, Ashburton 1; Wanganui 1, King Country 1; Counties 5, Hauraki 0; Central Otago 3, South Otago 0. Umpires Trophy: West Coast 3, Rangitikei 3; R.N.Z.A.F. 2, Buller 1; Maniototo 3, Wairoa 1.