HOCKEY: Game no test for ex-HB goalkeeper

Shane Hurndell Former Hawke's Bay hockey goalkeeper Anita Wawatai expected more action in her first outing of the season with the Black Sticks in Napier last night and so did the fans.
No, Wawatai wasn't subbed off as the Black Sticks took a 2-0 lead in their five test series against the United States with an ugly 1-0 win at Legends Stadium and she just wasn't required to make many saves in her ninth international ... just two.
"I expected more action, particularly after the United States had seen us play on Saturday," said the former Hawke's Bay senior, under-21, under-18 and under-15 rep, who attended Sacred Heart College in 1997 and '98.
"We've been training since December so it was good to good out there and play. I was a bit nervous, keen to get the footwork right early and get in the zone."
The 24-year-old Manawatu representative is sharing the keeping duties with Wellingtonian Beth Jurgeleit during the series which continues with the third test in Napier tonight.
Last night's match played in miserable weather conditions, and in front of 500 spectators, was a sharp contrast to the 5-0 victory recorded by the Black Sticks in Wellington on Saturday.
In that match New Zealand put 27 shots on goal and the tourists four. Last night the Black Sticks managed just eight - five more than the United States, who are ranked 12 on the world rankings, six places below the Kiwis.
Canterbury midfielder Stacey Carr scored last night's only goal. She collected a rebound at a penalty corner in the sixth minute and beat the United States goalie Amy Tran comfortably.
It came during an early period of sustained pressure from the hosts.
It wasn't long afterward that the test developed into an untidy scrappy affair with a lot of hit and hope from both sides.
While Carr and fellow midfielder, Black Sticks captain Suzie Muirhead, featured in several constructive attacks early in the first spell they, like their teammates, were guilty of dropping to the standard of the tourists for most of the game.
Muirhead's Wellington teammate, striker Niniwa Roberts-Lang, had some memorable moments on attack in the second spell.
She was unlucky not to score seven minutes into the half. Captain and midfielder Kate Barber was the best of the United States players, despite being double marked at times.
New Zealand coach Ian Rutledge agreed the game was disappointing for the crowd.
"I'm pleased with the result. But it was a totally different game from the first one ... it definitely lacked shape," Rutledge said.
"We knew they would be tougher and they were a lot more aggressive," Rutledge added.
His troops, like the tourists, are injury free going into tonight's match.