The New Zealand women's and men's hockey teams have both scored wins in their respective internationals in Nelson.
The Black Sticks Gemma Flynn in action. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Black Sticks women beat Argentina 4-1 victory to take a 2-1 series lead and the men beat India 2-nil in their first game.
The Black Sticks Women were first to score when Sophie Cocks picked up the ball on the baseline and passed to Gemma Flynn who fired it to the back of the net to give them a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.
Natasha Fitzsimons added to it ten minutes later thanks to a penalty corner drag-flick which went high over the keeper into the net.
The team talk at half time worked for Argentina's Martina Cavallero who got the visitors on the scoreboard, but the Black Sticks held their composure and continued to play an attacking and exciting style of hockey against the World No. 3 side.
Canterbury's Rachel McCann scored with six minutes on the clock and then Flynn took the game beyond doubt, scoring a double, to make it 4-1 in the final minute.
"I think our first quarter and the last quarter were really good, I think there were a few patches when we panicked in defence, we have a young and inexperienced defensive line up so hopefully we learn from that and on Friday we are even better," said head coach Mark Hager.
Captain Anita Punt was all smiles after the game - getting a win from her first international on her home ground, in front of a large crowd, on a night where conditions couldn't have been more perfect.
In the men's game, it was a big occasion for Steve Edwards who played his 200th international.
"Really cool for Stevie to bring up 200, really well deserved. He's a bit of a magician on the field!" said Canterbury's Nick Haig.
It was end to end hockey in the first half of the men's game, and Haig was the first to score with a penalty corner drag-flick that ricocheted off the keeper's pad and went into the net.
"It was a good win, I think it's coming together really well. For the first hit out of the series I think it was a good performance," said Haig.
Auckland's Jared Panchia scored the second goal of the night, a great piece of play that finished when he received a pass from Ryan Archibald and slotted it home.
The Black Sticks Women and Argentina now travel to Christchurch where they face each other for the final time on Friday.
The Black Sticks Men face India again in Nelson tonight and then play twice in Christchurch (9th and 11th October).
Both New Zealand sides are building towards the Oceania Series later this month.
