Hockey: Black Sticks beat Great Britain

Black Sticks captain Dean Couzins. Photo / Getty Images

The Black Sticks have kicked off their preparations for this weekend's Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy with a 3-1 win over Great Britain at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium tonight.

The warm-up match was all square at 1-1 at half time before the home side slotted two second half goals to Wellington's Matt L'Huillier and Nick Wilson, with Wilson also knocking one home in the first half.

While the result was pleasing, there will be concerns over the numbers of turnovers from the Black Sticks as well as a knee injury to key midfielder Steve Edwards.

New captain Dean Couzins, who saved an early British penalty corner right on the line, said it was good to get back into the rhythm of international hockey and the speed of the game.

He admitted there was some rustiness that they needed to shake off.

"In that first half our decision making wasn't good and neither was the quality of the passes we were making."

And he felt there was plenty to work on before another warm-up game against Spain on Wednesday.

"We need to retain possession, be tighter in our play and mount more pressure."

Wilson opened the scoring in just under 10 minutes popping the ball over British goalkeeper James Fair. The visitors evened it up at halftime with a penalty corner goal to James Tindall.

L'Huillier gave the Black Sticks a 2-1 lead with a well-taken penalty corner early in the second spell before Wilson secured the win with a diving goal midway through the half.

The last time the two sides met at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in May, the British won both games by two goals.