Hockey: Black Sticks rebound for final win

The New Zealand women bounced back from a disappointing fourth-test 3-1 loss 24 hours earlier to beat India 1-0 in the finale in Wellington yesterday - but the visitors still claimed the five match series 2-1 with two drawn.

Black Sticks coach Mark Hager said he was a "little bit happier" after his team's only win of the series.

But he admitted the good work of the first half, during which Clarissa Eshuis found the Indian goal with an early penalty corner drag flick, was undone somewhat in the second half with some scrappy, inconsistent play.

"I thought our first half was very good, and we probably deserved a couple more goals. We stuck very well to the game plan," said Hager. "But in the second it became pretty patchy."

Stalwart goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit was again outstanding, pulling off a couple of crucial saves, and fully deserved Hager's nod in naming her the player of the series.

Rookie Canterbury goalkeeper Amelia Gibson, 18, was given six minutes on debut at the end of the first spell and responded with two excellent penalty corner saves in as many minutes.

Like his players and the spectators, Hager was again frustrated by some of the calls by Indian umpire Nirmala Dagar.

She was obviously some way short of the standard required at international level and, like the players, was probably feeling the pressure of officiating in all five matches.

In Saturday's fourth test, Piki Hamahona gave the Black Sticks the lead in the 21st minute.

They held that advantage until the break, but the second half was dominated by the visitors.

Captain Surinder Kaur scored with a 43rd-minute deflection, Saba Anjum with a close range flick 21 minutes later and 15-year-old Rani Rampal with a last-ditch breakaway.

Hager's next task, tomorrow morning, is to name his 18-player Champions Trophy squad.

"Some of the players have probably made us [selectors] think twice - both ways - with the good too often undone by the bad. We are looking at the whole squad - apart from Kate Mahon - for the Champions Trophy.

"The five players coming back from Europe will all be in contention."

Hager said the Indians, despite being ranked four places lower than New Zealand, were a good test - being a quality side who tested his team with their flair and skill.

Mahon, one of the better performers in yesterday's win, will miss the trip to Nottingham as she has opted out to attend her sister's wedding.