The Black Sticks women have lost 2-3 to fierce rivals Australia in the final of the Hawke's Bay Cup tonight.
New Zealand were chasing their first crown after bowing out 4-2 in the semifinals to the Aussies in the inaugural tournament at the Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park last year.
The Anita
Punt-captained hosts led 1-0 at the half-time mark, with Australia scoring two quick fire goals in the third quarter before New Zealand equalised 2-2 with one minute remaining in the quarter. Australia scored the winning goal with just 30 seconds remaining in the final quarter.
A big crowd were there to watch the trans-Tasman clash in fine weather at the tier-one Unison Hockey Stadium in Hastings.
The Black Sticks beat South Korea in yesterday's semifinal at the second staging of the eight-nation tournament, setting up tonight's decider.
