Aussies down Black Sticks to clinch series At a glance

The Black Sticks women couldn’t defend an early lead when they suffered a 2-1 loss to Australia’s Hockeyroos in Auckland yesterday.

Despite leading 1-0 after the first quarter, thanks to a goal by striker Megan Hull off a penalty corner, the New Zealanders eventually wilted against the Australians’ clinical control and power at the National Hockey Centre.

The victory ensured the Australians won the four-game trans-Tasman series 2-1 after both teams were compromised by illness and injury during the tournament. The loss also means the Black Sticks have not beaten Australia in 14 attempts since September 2019.

New Zealand made the perfect start when Hull opened the scoring, late in the first quarter.

Despite Australia dominating from the outset, the Black Sticks defended diligently – especially goalkeeper Brooke Roberts – before striking back after an excellent break by striker Deanna Ritchie, which culminated in the penalty corner that led to Hull’s crisp sweep for the second goal of her international career.

Australia continued to be relentless when pouncing on opportunities, and finally breached the defence when Rebecca Greiner dribbled past Roberts near the goal mouth in the second quarter.

The Kiwis remained resolute when protecting the defensive circle and at halftime the score was locked-up 1-1.

Australia then lifted their attack up a gear, with the experienced Brooke Peris embarking on a long run prior to controlling the ball and lobbing it over New Zealand replacement goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Several minutes later O’Hanlon did well to block two rockets fired by the Aussies, but as fatigue set in the New Zealanders struggled to match the tempo and by the end of the third quarter had been forced to defend five penalty corners.

In the final four minutes, Black Sticks coach Darren Smith took O’Hanlon off so his team would have 11 outfield players but the Black Sticks couldn’t do enough to hold possession and threaten their opponents’ goal.

Australia 2 (Rebecca Greiner, Brooke Peris) New Zealand 1 (Megan Hull). HT: 1-1.