New women's hockey captain Sandy Bennett delivered a superb performance as the New Zealand women's team scored a solid 3-1 win over India in Whangarei yesterday.
Bennett, named captain for the four-match series against a youthful Indian team, was a formidable force in a tenacious Kiwi defence that stifled most Indianattacks.
She then topped off her homecoming debut as national captain by winning the player of the day award.
"I think Sandy was exceptional out there today. She shut down all of the Indian attacks by reading the play beautifully," New Zealand coach Jan Borren said.
"It is an ideal way to start a series, by playing like that, but I think this Indian team will only get better, they showed some ability to push forward and find holes in our defence.
"We have to remember they only arrived in the country last night."
New Zealand were all over the travel-weary Indian team for the first 30 minutes of the match, jumping out to 2-0 in the first quarter with goals from Karyn Paewai and national debutante Niniwa Roberts.
But the backbone of their win came from the experienced core of New Zealand players hardened at top international competition.
Mandy Smith, Anna Lawrence and Bennett were the standouts. Smith had a decisive hand in the first two New Zealand goals in an impressive first half and a cameo role in the third just after halftime. Lawrence was the central figure at centre half, organising most of the New Zealand attacks with incisive surges down the middle of the turf.
The Indians finished well, scoring a goal late in the second half and missing two more chances from the field as well as earning a succession of penalty corners.
India's goal by Manjinder Kahur was expertly flicked over the defence, leaving New Zealand goalkeeper Anne-Marie Irving stranded.
The second match is at Rosedale Park, Albany, tomorrow night.
