Midlands women in do-or-die spot

A loss yesterday has left the Midlands women's side facing a crucial clash against pre-tournament National Hockey League title favourites North Harbour in Christchurch this evening.

Bayleys Midlands went down 2-1 to hosts Canterbury yesterday, ensuring a logjam at the top of the NHL table with today's match likely to determine their fate.

The top two sides will meet in Sunday's final and with three teams the Hymie Gill-coached Midlands, Harbour and Central tied at the top on 12 points, a win today is vital.

Gill admitted his side "were very poor" yesterday. "It was our worst game of the competition so far."

Midlands fell behind in the opening minute when Canterbury's Liz Perry broke away to set up Jane Maley to score before Anna Wetherall added a second nine minutes later.

Tambra McGarvey pulled a goal back for Midlands, who piled on the pressure late.

"We were at sixes and sevens but did well to fight back, and had two or three good chances late to grab a draw or even win," said Gill.

North Harbour continued their revival, after a slow start at the week-long tournament, by hammering Wellington 6-1 yesterday, with Stacey Michelsen and Kelsey Dunn each netting twice ahead of today's encounter with Midlands.

"It's a game both of us have to win," Gill acknowledged.

The Midlands men's side moved a step closer to successfully defending their crown with a 2-0 win over Canterbury yesterday.

They're now tied for second with North Harbour on 12 points, one behind Wellington, who hammered Southern 5-0.

"It was a fantastic win our defence was outstanding," said Midlands coach Darren Smith.

"We put a couple of tactics in place that held them well, with Richard Petherick and Bevan George impressive, while Lloyd Stephenson and Casey Henwood were doing great jobs in defensive midfield positions."

Nick Ross put Midlands ahead with an impressive reverse stick shot early in the second half before Lincoln Churchill set up Hugo Inglis for a tap-in at the far post eight minutes from time.

The Canterbury side featured Black Sticks' deadly drag-flick penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw but Midlands denied him any opportunity to strike from a set-piece.

However, Smith wants some improvement from his own penalty corner specialists, who failed to convert any of their five chances yesterday.

Midlands should pick up another three points tonight against Southern, while Wellington face North Harbour.

- © Fairfax NZ News