The Southern Men scored their biggest win in the national
league on Saturday in Christchurch but could not do enough
yesterday to win a play-off match.
Against the Central side on Saturday, Southern recorded a big
7-1 win.
Knowing it had to score at least six goals to make the
play-off for fifth, Southern tweaked its tactics at half-time
when it was ahead just 2-1.
The move worked wonders, with Callum Bailey and Hayden Shaw
each scoring two goals in the second spell.
The win put the side through to the play-off against the
strong Auckland side yesterday afternoon.
But in a game which was all over the field, Auckland won 4-3
after both sides had scored a goal in the first half.
Southern coach Dave Ross said the team had improved
throughout the week and the aim was to now break into the top
five.
He was happy with sixth place, and there was a good core
group in the squad.
The side finished eighth last year but was fifth in 2004.
Black Sticks striker Simon Child scored a couple of goals for
Auckland.
The Southern women scored a 1-1 draw against Northland on
Saturday but fell heavily, 6-0, to the same side yesterday
morning.
Coach Mark Smithells said the side played well on Saturday,
with Eloise Watson scoring the goal for Southern, making the
most of gaining possession after a scramble from a penalty
corner.
Northland attacked better in the second half but the Southern
defenders stood firm, with goalkeeper Liz Gifford and
youngster Sam Dalziel playing well.
Yesterday, Northland came out firing as the Southern team
struggled with the 8am start.
Blacks Stick striker Charlotte Harrison scored the opening
two goals for Northland, and the side never let up.
With the loss, Southern finished last in the competition, the
same result as last year.
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