The 2009 National Hockey league came to a close on Sunday September 27th in Christchurch, after two thrilling and nail biting finals in both the Men’s and Women’s competitions.
The women’s final between Midlands and Central, turned out to be a heart breaker for the former team who were leading with 3-2 with only minutes left to play. Kayla Sharland (one of two top goal scorers of the tournament) was the hero for Central, scoring a penalty corner strike after forcing the game into extra time.
Similarly, the Men’s final ended in much the same way, between North Harbour and Wellington, after Wellington were leading 3-1 with twenty minutes left to play. This time it was Blair Hopping (North Harbour) who deflected home the winner, from another penalty corner, as in the Women’s extra time. Blair received a similar accolade to Kayla taking out the Most Valuable Player for the NHL itself. The full match reports follow the awards listings at the end of this document.
Below is the list of both the Hockey New Zealand and NHL awards recipients. The award ceremony took place just prior to the medal ceremony at the closure of the NHL.
Hockey New Zealand Awards
Brian Maunsell Player of the Year – Dean Couzins (Auckland)
Under 21 Player of the Year – Simon Child (Auckland)
Smokefree Women’s Player of the Year – Emily Naylor (Central)
Under 21 Player of the Year – Katie Glynn (Auckland)
Men’s Umpire of the Year – Simon Taylor (Auckland)
Most Promising Men’s Umpire – Nigel South (Auckland)
Women’s Umpire of the Year – Kelly Hudson (Auckland, but based in Australia)
Most Promising Women’s Umpire – Amber Church (Poverty Bay)
NHL Awards
MVP Women – Clarissa Eshuis (Midlands)
MVP Men – Blair Hopping (North Harbour)
MVP Male Umpire – Colin French (North Harbour)
MVP Female Umpire – Melanie Oakden (Northland)
Women’s Top Goal Scorer – Gemma Flynn (Midlands) and Kayla Sharland (Central)
Men’s Top Goal Scorer – Hugo Inglis (Midlands, recently moved from Dunedin) and Simon Child (Auckland)
NHL FINAL MATCH REPORTS IN FULL
Men’s Final
In a replay of the Women’s final North Harbour surged back in extra time to beat Wellington, who had led 3 – 1 twenty minutes earlier. This time it was Blair Hopping who deflected home the winner, from another penalty corner, as in the Women’s extra time.
Wellington went into half time 2 – 1 with field goals to Gareth Brooks and Stephen Jenness, with one to Harbor’s Nick Wilson.
A Matt L’Hullier drag flick put Wellington up 3 – 1, 10 minutes into the second half. Harbour drew level with his first deflection off a Dave Green drag flick. Green was involved again a few minutes later when he latched onto a massive cross from the right.
Kyle Pontifex was outstanding in goal, coming well out of his goal for several key saves. Scott Falconer was also solid on defence for Wellington.
North Harbour 4 (Blair Hopping 2, Nick Wilson, David Green) Wellington 3 (Stephen Jenness, Matt L’Hullier, Gareth Brooks. H: T 2 – 1 Wellington
3rd place play off
Canterbury and Midlands went into extra time and then stroke after they were tied 3 – 3lk at full time. Midlands’ keeper Stephen Graham made an excellent save on a well executed final Hayden Shaw stroke to seal the stroke off.
Midlands 3 (Casey Henwood, Nick Ross, Hugo Inglis) Canterbury (Jason Niles 2, Jono Pooch) H: T 2 – 1 Midlands. Midlands win 5 – 4 on strokes
5th place play off
Auckland 4 (Simon Child 2, Marcus Child, Steven Davison) Southern 3 (Damien Watson, Scott Fitzpatrick, Nick Budgeon) H: T 1 - 1
7th place play off
Northland 1 (Thomas Keogh) Central 0 H: T 1 - 0
Women’s Final
In a heartbreaker for Midlands, Central clawed their way back to force extra time, after the final hooter and then scored the match winner from a Kayla Sharland penalty corner strike. With Midlands up 3 – 2, Central played out a corner after the final hooter and play was allowed to continue until the breakdown, giving Kayla Sharland just enough time to push home from a close range melee.
Sharland was the hero again two minutes into the second period of extra time, nailing a direct penalty corner strike, to complete a hat trick.
Central went into half time 1 – 0 up after striking early through a nice Piki Hamahona tomahawk shot on goal in the 10th minute. Central looked the more threatening throughout the first half, with Kayla Sharland displaying superb attacking skills and linking well with Caryn Paewai. Midlands played with patience and composure after recovering from the early goal, but struggled to penetrate through the midfield, giving the side’s strikers limited opportunities.
Two Clarissa Eshuis drag flicks put Midlands 1 – 2 up after half time, before Sharland evened it up with a reverse stick field goal. A Gemma Flynn goal put Midlands back ahead 3 – 2 before the last gaps equaliser.
Central 4 (Kayla Sharland 3, Piki Hamahona) Midlands 3 (Clarissa Eshuis 2, Gemma Flynn) H: T 1 – 0 Central
3rd place play off
North Harbour reversed yesterday’s loss to Auckland to take the bronze medal. Stacey Michelsen added her seventh goal for the tournament, dominating the midfield. Auckland had several opportunities to equalise towards the end of the game, but could not convert.
North Harbour 2 (Stacey Michelsen, Rhianna Buchanan) Auckland 1 (Bridget Kight) H: T 1 – 0 North Harbour
5th place play off
Wellington 3 (Aniwaka Roberts, Svenja Schuermann, Frances Shaw) Canterbury 2 (Pippa Hayward, Olivia Merry) H: T 2- 2
7th place play off
Northland 6 (Jade McLeod 2, Anna Weir, Rhonda Rowsell, Laura Douglas, Alyx Pivac, and Southern 0 H: T 3 – 0.
Source: New Zealand Hockey
