12 Oct 2017

Black Sticks pile up points against PNG

9:25 am on 12 October 2017

The Black Sticks stormed out to a 20-0 lead at half-time and added another 13 goals in the second half with seven of those in the final eight minutes.

The New Zealand women's hockey team have made light work of Papua New Guinea with a 33-0 result in their opening game at the Oceania Cup in Sydney.

Samantha Harrison, 2011.

Samatha Harrison bagged nine goals Photo: Photosport

The Black Sticks stormed out to a 20-0 lead at half-time and added another 13 goals in the second half with seven of those in the final eight minutes.

Samantha Harrison bagged a huge haul of nine goals while Rachel McCann and Olivia Merry scooped seven each and Shiloh Gloyn grabbed a hat-trick.

NZ Womens Hockey (Black Sticks) team player Sam Charlton

NZ Womens Hockey (Black Sticks) team player Sam Charlton Photo: Field Hockey

Co-captain Samantha Charlton celebrated her 200th test cap during the match and topped it off with a goal of her own.

Assistant coach Sean Dancer said the game provided his side the chance to focus on some key areas going forward.

"We really focussed on some basic elements of our game and refining those, and the girls did that really well in the attacking third," Dancer said.

"Papua New Guinea tried their best and we really respect them for coming out and challenging themselves with an eye to developing further.

"We now look ahead to Australia in what will be a tough game but we are backing ourselves and certainly know we have the skills and talent to get the result."

The Black Sticks next play the the Hockeyroos at 7pm (NZ time) on Saturday while the Black Sticks men open their Oceania Cup campaign versus Australia at 10pm (NZ time) tonight.