Auckland's men and North Harbour's women claimed outright leads on the third day of the national hockey league in Auckland today.
Both won the clash of unbeaten teams to keep their perfect three-wins-from-three records nearing the midway stage of the intense 10-day championships.
Auckland ended the winning men's run of Canterbury with a thrilling 4-3 win, secured when Cain Fleming struck the winning reverse stick goal from an acute angle in the final seconds.
Canterbury led 2-0 at halftime through Jonathan Pooch and Craig Paterson but the hosts were level by halftime thanks to goals to American import Patrick Harras and Black Stick Bevan Hari.
North Harbour, Central and Wellington join Canterbury in second place on six points after respective wins over Southern (3-1), Northland (5-2) and Midlands (3-0) today.
North Harbour outclassed Central 3-0 in the clash of the unbeaten women, with Stacey Michelsen bagging a double and Rhianna Buchanan the other goal, all before halftime.
Harbour's win was earned by crisper interpassing and excellent midfield pressure to force turnovers.
Auckland climbed into second place with a 5-0 hammering of Southern while Central are joined in third by Northland, who scraped past Midlands 1-0.
The other game saw Wellington pick up their first win, 4-1 over the struggling Canterbury.
Tomorrow is a rest day.
