Hockey: Black Sticks stutter against India

The visiting Indian women hold the advantage after the first two of five hockey tests against the Black Sticks. India won the opening test in Palmerston North on Saturday and yesterday twice came back from a goal down to finish 2-2. The third test is in Napier on Wednesday.

"It was another inconsistent performance," said coach Mark Hager. "The inability to trap the ball dead cost us with too much turnover ball. We had a hard-talking video session after the first test and there will be some more hard work when we get to Napier.

"We played terribly in the first test. We should have been 3-0 ahead at halftime."

New Zealand's inability to convert penalty corner opportunities cost them dearly.

In the opening test they muffed such chances in the first and last minutes as the visitors held on to win 3-2.

Again yesterday they struggled from set play although their first goal was scored by Piki Hamahona from a corner but other chances went begging.

Hager singled out veteran goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit as the Black Sticks standout player.