Hockey: NZ women win series opener

The Black Sticks Women have begun their International Hockey Open series with a 4-1 win over India at the Marrara Hockey Stadium in Darwin.

New Zealand shook off a slow start and a tight 1-0 halftime lead to dominate the second half and score three unanswered goals in the space of six minutes in the fourth quarter.

Canterbury midfielder Pippa Hayward scored a double while Petrea Webster and Anita McLaren (formerly Punt) added to the score sheet.

Head coach Mark Hager said it was pleasing to open the four nations series with a win, although there was plenty to work on.

"It's always good to start with a win but there are definitely areas we need to work on and tighten up ahead of our next game against Australia," he said.

"We created a lot of chances but need to get better at converting more of those, and at times we went off the boil a bit so it's maintaining intensity for the full 60 minutes."

After a goalless first quarter, Hayward lit up the score board in the 18th minute off the back of a good baseline run and pass from Rachel McCann.

Hayward was in action again in the 47th minute after controlling a pass in the circle and slipping a shot through the feet of Savita in goal.

McLaren extended the buffer to three goals nine minutes from fulltime when she received on the run from a counter attack and smashed a shot past Savita's shoulder from the top of the circle.

Webster put the result beyond any doubt two minutes later with a superb one-time shot after an Indian mistrap in the circle.

A terrific individual effort from Anuradha Thokchom just before the final whistle saw India score a consolation goal.

The Black Sticks take to the turf against hosts Australia at 9.30pm tomorrow (NZ time), with live coverage through Epicentre.tv

The International Hockey Open is part of New Zealand's build up for the Champions Trophy in London from 19-27 June and the Rio Olympic Games in August.

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