Black Sticks head coach Mark Hager with Gemma Flynn at the presentation of her 200th international test. Photo/Hamish Burson/Hockey NZ
Black Sticks head coach Mark Hager with Gemma Flynn at the presentation of her 200th international test. Photo/Hamish Burson/Hockey NZ
Tauranga's Gemma Flynn has just celebrated her 200th international test as a Black Stick.
Flynn helped the Black Sticks Women secure a 2-1 win against Korea at the Hawke's Bay Cup in Hastings last night.
The win meant the Kiwis finish top of Pool B and will faceIndia in the quarter-final at 6pm this Thursday.
Black Sticks head coach Mark Hager said although there were still improvements to be made, he is pleased with the win and can see the progress the team is making.
"I don't think we are playing at our best yet. I imagine the statistics were probably pretty even for both teams, so I'm just really pleased we hung in there and converted enough chances to get us over the line," said Hager.
"As a team, one of the things we spoke about was having to win these close games, and we have won two in a row now. Both those games have been tight and hard fought, and we have come out on the right side."
In cold Hawkes Bay conditions, Canterbury's Olivia Merry was the first to score from a penalty corner in the 17th minute with Flynn doubling the lead in the last quarter with a field goal. Flynn had a number of other opportunities in her milestone game, but couldn't quite convert.
"Gemma's game was really pleasing, I thought she was unlucky not to get another couple of goals. She is starting to hit some real form again and is giving us some good energy and go-forward up front."
