New Zealand NHL Round 7 Results

Midlands and Central will meet in tomorrow ‘s Women’s final in a re-play of today’s final round. Central headed off Midlands 2-1 today, in what was a nothing match up after the only other side in previously in contention for the final, North Harbour, went down to Auckland earlier in the day. Central (18 Points) finished up three points clear of Midlands, but their goals differential is very similar and there is little between the well balanced sides. Tomorrow’s final is sure to be a faster-paced match up with nothing left to conserve.

Earlier Harbour went down 1-0 to Auckland in a tired looking match up. Harbour had to beat Auckland solidly to progress to the final and played like a team under pressure. Auckland on the other hand have improved throughout the tournament and moved ahead of Harbour to third place... The two teams will meet again tomorrow for the bronze medal.

Wellington beat Canterbury 3-2 and will meet for fifth and Northland and Southern will play for seventh

Mark Comie Holden Northland 1 v 1 Southern Storm HT 1-1 | 2009-09-26 09:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women's NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Kooga North Harbour 0 v 1 Land & Marine Aucklanders HT 0-0 | 2009-09-26 10:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women's NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Bayleys Midlands 1 v 2 Central Mysticks HT 1-0 | 2009-09-26 13:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women's NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Pica Print Canterbury Cats 2 v 3 Monteiths Wellington HT 1-3 | 2009-09-26 14:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women's NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

North Harbour put in a good first half against Midlands to go up 2-0 by the break in the match to determine one of the finalists. Midands pegged one back through a nice close range finish from and looked threatening. However that changed when Joe Bartholomew put through a fantastic long range ball to Priyesh Bhana taking Harbour 3-1 up. David Green added his second and third drag flick corner conversion in the 64th and 70th minute to put the game out of Midlands’ reach.

Wellington stuttered against Northland initially, peppering the Northland goal but not able to convert. It took until the 27th minute for Wellington to score their first goal, through Blair Hilton. Stephen Jenness added two further field goals to ease the tension in the 51st and 58th minute, and put Wellington through to the final.

Canterbury and Auckland drew 3-3 which and Southern concluded a successful round robin with an excellent win 7-1 win over Central to set themselves up for their best finish since 2004.

Central Mavericks 1 v 7 The Southern Men HT 1-2 | 2009-09-26 11:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men's NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Bayleys Midlands 2 v 3 Kooga North Harbour HT 2-1 | 2009-09-26 12:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men's NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

BDO Spicers Wellington 3 v 0 ITM Northland HT 1-0 | 2009-09-26 15:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men's NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Land & Marine Aucklanders 3 v 3 Canterbury Cavaliers HT 1-1 | 2009-09-26 16:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men's NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Stick for Life 2010 WRA & Sixes

We are pleased to announce that the StickforLife World Record Attempt in aid of Cancer Research will be held at Beeston, Nottingham on the August Bank Holiday weekend 2010. More details about the event, including activities and evening entertainment and with details on how you can enter teams and the costs for the weekend will be posted next week.

The event hopes to cater for up to 36-48 teams made up of men's, mixed and ladies sides. We also intend to make an It's a Knockout Competition part of the weekend with teams taking part in it on the Saturday morning.

More details to be confirmed next week.

New Zealand NHL Results Rounds 6

Round 6

Midlands bounced back from their first loss yesterday, to Canterbury, to down North Harbour 2-0 and cement their place at the top of the points table. Central swamped Canterbury 5-0 to move into second place. Auckland Women powered in seven goals against Southern to move back into medal contention. Katie Glynn had her best day yet in front of goal scoring three field goals while Krystal Forgesson picked up two. The Aucklanders scored more goals in the match than they had in total from the first five rounds. (Their previous total was six). Northland were rewarded for their hard work when they downed Wellington 2-1, after coming out on the wrong side of close games twice earlier in the tournament. Anna Weir scored one of the women’s goals of the tournament to seal the game, picking up beautifully a hit into the circle from Charlotte Harrison.

Land & Marine Aucklanders 7 v 0 Southern Storm HT 4-0 | 2009-09-24 13:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Mark Comie Holden Northland 2 v 1 Monteiths Wellington HT 1-0 | 2009-09-24 15:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Kooga North Harbour 0 v 2 Bayleys Midlands HT 0-1 | 2009-09-24 17:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Central Mysticks 5 v 0 Pica Print Canterbury Cats HT 2-0 | 2009-09-24 19:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Midlands moved to the top of the table with a 5-0 win over Southern. Wellington moved back to second after drawing with North Harbour, who enter the final round in third place. Matt L’Hullier continued his great drag flick form, slotting his seventh goal for Wellington . Craig Paterson celebrated his 50th game for Canterbury by scoring two goals during his side’s 5-2 win against Northland. Auckland picked up valuable points with their win over Central, to boost themselves up the table. A medal is now out of the question, but Auckland are still playing for the best finish possible for pride.

Land & Marine Aucklanders 5 v 0 Central Mavericks HT 2-0 | 2009-09-24 12:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Kooga North Harbour 2 v 2 BDO Spicers Wellington HT 1-0 | 2009-09-24 14:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Canterbury Cavaliers 5 v 2 ITM Northland HT 3-1 | 2009-09-24 16:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Bayleys Midlands 5 v 0 The Southern Men HT 3-0 | 2009-09-24 18:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Scotland to Take on Ireland

Gold medallist Russell Garcia starts his temporary stint as Scotland’s senior men’s head coach, while still working with the junior men, when the squad take on Ireland in three test matches 2-4 October in Banbridge, Northern Ireland as part of preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Garcia said: “We’re looking to get ready for the qualifier in Invercargill, New Zealand in November. Ireland will be a real chance for less experienced players to prove themselves with a view to going to the qualifier- but also looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games.“

Twenty Scots have been selected to travel to Banbridge Hockey Club, several with less than twenty caps and five taking the pitch for Scotland’s senior men for the first time. Making their debut is David and Alan Forsyth (Azzurri Kelburne), Wei Adams (Grange), John Harris (Inverleith) and Callum Milne (Inverleith).

“Ireland are playing well; they’ve developed their team and are ahead of where we are currently. It will be a tough challenge but good for us,” warned Garcia. The two sides last met at the Celtic Cup in June where they drew 3-3 in the final match which allowed the Irish to take the Cup on points difference.

The upcoming match against Ireland is one piece in the get fit for New Zealand puzzle, as Garcia is starting to assemble a plan for qualification.

“One of the things that came out of the recent European Trophy was that the squad was too slow. This month the team is going through a speed endurance and strength phase and we’ll work on core skills. Starting in October, we’ve got several games set up before heading to New Zealand. We’ve met our target of 10 competitive games, against teams such as Italy and Bangladesh. We’ll also look to develop plays, tactics and our unit play,” said Garcia.

When asked what it will take for players to make it to the qualifier, he explained: “I’m looking to see if the guys can perform physically at a high level of intensity in match games. They need to show they can make decisions under pressure. You can push young players to a point but if they’re not ready, they’re not ready.”

Garcia agreed to fill in when Scottish Hockey and Jon Royce parted ways after his contract ran out this summer following the EuroHockey Nations Trophy in Wrexham where Scotland finished fifth.

New Zealand NHL Results Rounds 5

Round 5

The only previously unbeaten side in the competition, Midlands Women, stumbled against Canterbury today, going down 2-1. Midlands looked out of sorts and Canterbury did well to make the most of their opportunities. Canterbury had a dream start to the game when Liz Perry broke away setting up Jane Maley across the face of the goal in the first minute. Anna Wetherall added a second nine minutes later. North Harbour picked up their game for an impressive 6-1 over Wellington. Stacey Michelsen was the standout for Harbour. Central also continued their winning way, beating Southern 3-0 in saturated conditions after a downpour, to move up to 12 points, behind Midlands and Harbour, (also with 12 points), on goal difference. Northland spoiled Auckland’s chances of staying in the running for medal contention, forcing a 2-2 draw. Sisters Charlotte and Sam Harrison both got on the scoreboard for their opposing teams (Northland and Auckland, respectively).

Land & Marine Aucklanders 2 v 2 Mark Comie Holden Northland HT 0-1 | 2009-09-23 12:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Central Mysticks 3 v 0 Southern Storm HT 2-0 | 2009-09-23 14:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Bayleys Midlands 1 v 2 Pica Print Canterbury Cats HT 2-1 | 2009-09-23 16:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Kooga North Harbour 6 v 1 Monteiths Wellington HT 1-0 | 2009-09-23 18:00
No Venue | New Zealand Women’s NHL (Ladies) | Match Report(s)

Wellington Men were comfortable in the 5-0 win over Southern to maintain their one point lead at the top of the table, with 13 points. Matt L’Hullier continued his good goal scoring from adding two more, taking his total to six. North Harbour had a 3-1 win over Auckland to consolidate their position running into the business end of the tournament. The match was marred by a downpour which slowed up the first half in particular. Auckland, with just four points after five rounds, are looking at one of their worse finishes ever. Midlands and Canterbury battled out the late game of the day. The 2-0 win by Midlands put the defending champions in second place behind Wellington. Northland Men slotted up their second well deserved win, beating Central, who are yet to register points, 2-1.

Central Mavericks 1 v 2 ITM Northland HT 1-2 | 2009-09-23 13:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Land & Marine Aucklanders 1 v 3 Kooga North Harbour HT 1-0 | 2009-09-23 15:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

BDO Spicers Wellington 5 v 0 The Southern Men HT 4-0 | 2009-09-23 17:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)

Bayleys Midlands 2 v 0 Canterbury Cavaliers HT 0-0 | 2009-09-23 19:00
No Venue | New Zealand Men’s NHL (Mens) | Match Report(s)