20 May 2010

Black Sticks draw third Test

8:05 am on 20 May 2010

The New Zealand women's hockey team has drawn the third Test with India 2-2 in Napier.

The Black Sticks women fought back from 2-0 down after just eight minutes.

India's Saba Anjum scored the first goal after four minutes through a fast counter attack before Chanchan Thockchom scored India's second with a straight shot from a penalty corner.

The Black Sticks then got one back before half-time through a field goal to defender Stacey Brannigan. Brannigan's first international goal came from close range in the 27th minute.

Brannigan scored again in the 57th minute after a great counter attacking move down the right, finishing with a diving deflection.

The Black Sticks dominated the final 10 minutes of the match, forcing the Indian goalkeeper into an important save in the final minute to prevent the Black Sticks from securing their first win of the series.

The coach Mark Hager's using the series as development with a number of top players unavailable, and he thinks a second straight draw's a fair enough result.

The final two matches of the series will be played in Wellington this coming weekend. India lead 1-0.