New Zealand: BLACK STICKS FINISH UP 2023 PRO LEAGUE

BLACK STICKS FINISH UP 2023 PRO LEAGUE

In their final Pro League match of the season the Vantage Black Sticks women grabbed a 3-1 shootout victory over Germany after finishing regulation 0-0.

Germany were the more dominant team throughout the game but the Kiwi defence was a tough nut to crack, especially their world class penalty corner defence.

New Zealand did create several scoring opportunities but, as has largely been the case on this tour, were lacking in their finishing. They almost grabbed a winner right at the end of regulation but for a scramble of German defenders helping make their goal impenetrable.

The Black Sticks went onto win the resulting shootout 3-1, with Grace O’Hanlon saving the first two German shots to put the Kiwis in a strong position. In the end it was a simple Rose Tynan shot, after misdirecting the German keeper, that earned New Zealand the shootout victory.

In the Vantage Black Sticks men’s final match of the season they went down swinging against the world no1 Holland, with the eventual 4-1 scoreline not necessarily a fair reflection on the game.

The Dutch started off the stronger of the two sides and scored two goals in three minutes late into the first quarter.

Despite the set-back, New Zealand stuck to their game plan and were rewarded with several penalty corners in the second quarter but were unable to convert.

The Dutch controlled much of the second half but were unable to get through a stubborn defence, and the Kiwis caught them on a counter-attack with Dylan Thomas finishing off a move that saw him with the goal wide open for an easy tap in.

The fourth quarter saw the home crowd advantage come into play as a loud crowd egged on their team who eventually found the back of the net from a penalty corner. New Zealand had further misery piled on as a stroke was awarded, and converted two minutes later.

Both teams now head back to New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming Oceania Cup against Australia which will see them play a best of three series in Whangarei August 10-13.