Midlands Men and Auckland Women win Under 18 Hockey titles

Photo: Planet Hockey

The Midlands Men and Auckland Women have taken out this year’s titles at the National Under 18 Tournament in Palmerston North.

The men’s final between Midlands and North Harbour was on a knife edge for the entire game with neither side able to score a winning goal in regulation time, ending with a 0-0 draw.

In the shoot-out, Midlanders Tim Neild, Garrick Du Toit, Zane Anderson, Reuben Andrews and Kalpesh Morar netted while goalkeeper Alexander Hasselman-Black ensured the crucial miss from Harbour.

In the men’s bronze medal match, Auckland defeated Central 3-1 thanks to goals from Jonny Bates, Xavier Guy and Shae Iswar.

Reuben Andrews was named Men’s Most Valuable Player for the tournament, while he also finished joint top goal scorer with four penalty corner conversions.

In the women’s final, Auckland overcame Central with a 3-1 shoot-out victory after the score was deadlocked 3-3 at fulltime.

Ailsa Connely scored a double for Auckland while Kate Ivory added her side’s third goal, while Central recovered from a two goal deficit to equalise with Megan Phillips, Emma Rainey and Casey Crowley finding the back of the net.

In the shoot-out Auckland goalkeeper Sophie Howard forced three misses from Central to lead her side to the gold medal.

Canterbury secured the bronze medal with a tight 2-1 result over Capital thanks to a double from Emily Wium.

Wium finished top goal scorer at the tournament with nine field goals while Auckland’s Amelia Marlow was named Women’s Most Valuable Player.

Men’s Final Standings
1. Midlands
2. North Harbour
3. Auckland
4. Central
5. Southern
6. Capital
7. Northland
8. Canterbury

Women’s Final Standings
1. Auckland
2. Central
3. Canterbury
4. Capital
5. North Harbour
6. Midlands
7. Northland
8. Southern

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