Women’s team save Kiwi blushes

World hockey No 1 Australia have given the Black Sticks men yet more to stew over ahead of the Olympics, after handing out another hiding yesterday.

Having been swept 4-0 in the recent trans-Tasman series in Palmerston North, New Zealand, ranked No 8 in the world, suffered a 7-3 drubbing in the first of two tests in Perth over the weekend.

The two sides are in the same six-team pool at the Tokyo Games, but the Black Sticks will need something outrageous to overturn what is now a combined 22-7 scoreline across the sides’ last five clashes.

The Black Sticks had their opportunities and made the hosts work, but the Kookaburras had all the answers when it counted. Both sides were largely fielding the teams that will line up for the Olympics.

In the women’s match, New Zealand fought back from a twogoal deficit after just five minutes to draw 2-2 before grabbing the bonus point in the shootout.

After Australia’s flying start, New Zealand’s fightback was led by the ever-dependable Stacey Michelsen, who scored a fine goal after dribbling through the defence to fire home a reverse stick shot. The equaliser was scored in the third quarter by Hope Ralph, who latched onto a rebound shot from Rose Keddell.

Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon was the star of the shootout, saving four attempts, with goals from Samantha Charlton and Julia King giving the visitors the bonus point.

‘‘Obviously we didn’t get off to the start we wanted, but we turned it around and brought great energy to the game,’’ Michelsen said.