Hockey: Black Sticks women in action

Flags at the regional sports park in Hastings. Photo / Duncan Brown

A day of action is in store for crowds at the Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey today as the Black Sticks women take on India in the quarter-final.

There are four quarter-final games in the festival's eight nations tournament at the regional sports park in Hastings today, with the Black Sticks scheduled to play India at 6pm.

India is currently ranked 13th in the world - New Zealand is fourth. However, event creator Bruce Mactaggart said it would be foolish to write off the Indians.

"Coming into the tournament, India are the lowest-ranked team, but they're really challenging the top teams on Earth. India have got everything to play for and I think it's going to be an amazing game. The Black Sticks have to continue their form."

Mr Mactaggart said results in this year's tournament had been unpredictable so far.

"Last year Australia were the clear favourites, but this year every single team have played outside themselves."

Event director David Nancarrow said: "Every team can still make the final." The team in black have reached this stage after a draw with Japan and two victories over Argentina and Korea.

Another game to catch tomorrow is the quarter-final between Australia and Argentina, ranked second and third in the world respectively.

After crowd numbers were hampered by a cold snap when the Black Sticks beat Korea on Tuesday night, Mr Mactaggart hoped the next three days would yield more favourable weather and bigger turnouts.

"Hopefully we'll see lots of Hawke's Bay people there supporting, and let's hope the Black Sticks make it through."

Also hitting off today is the under-17 secondary schoolgirls' Furnware Cup tournament.

The category has been expanded to eight teams, with the inclusion of Wanganui Collegiate and St Peter's, Cambridge, who join returning talent from Gisborne Girls, Havelock North and Taradale High Schools as well as Woodford and Iona Colleges.

-For tickets on the festival visit www.hockeyfestival.nz