Both sides felt each other out in the early stages before Georgia Clement scored her first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute.
The lead for North Harbour would not last long, however.
The Mainlanders struck back almost straight away through a penalty corner.
Jenna-Rae McIntyre scored her fourth and her most critical goal of the tournament in the second quarter.
It proved to be the match-winner, with neither side able to add to the scoring.
The win represents somewhat of a trifecta for Canterbury women’s hockey in 2022. The association won the under-18 national championship, while Christchurch Girls’ High School claimed national schoolgirl honours at the Federation Cup.
In the tier 2 women’s final, Southland took on North Harbour B.
Southland was looking to avenge an earlier loss to Harbour.
Buoyed by local support, Southland got off to a flying start when Dayna Holland converted a penalty corner in the opening minute.
Susan White scored just before halftime to make it 2-0.
Despite a Harbour goal in the 44th minute, the deficit proved too much to overcome as Southland completed a deserved 2-1 win to claim the Floyd Shield.
It is understood that despite the win, Southland is not eligible for promotion as it is a composite team.
The Otago women finished last in tier 1, so it would be the team to drop down.
National Championship
Final results
Tier 1 women: Hawke’s Bay beat Otago 3-1 (7th/8th), Wellington beat Waikato 4-0 (5th/6th), Manawatu beat Auckland (0-0) 2-1 in shootout (3rd/4th), Canterbury beat North Harbour 2-1 (final).
Tier 1 men: Hawke’s Bay beat Manawatu 3-2 (7th/8th), Waikato beat North Harbour 5-2 (5th/6th), Canterbury beat Auckland 3-2 (3rd/4th), Otago beat Wellington 4-2 (final).
Tier 2 women: Canterbury beat NZDF 8-1 (7th/8th), Wairapara beat Northland 4-0 (5th/6th), Counties-Manukau beat Tasman 3-2 (3rd/4th), Southland beat North Harbour 2-1 (final).
Tier 2 men: NZDF beat Otago Country 5-4 (9th/10th), Tasman beat Southland 4-2 (7th/8th), Counties-Manukau beat South Canterbury 2-0 (5th/6th), Otago beat Northland (4-4) 3-2 in a shootout (3rd/4th), Canterbury beat North Harbour 2-1 (final).
Staff Reporter
