Hockey: Black Sticks defeated by Dutch

The Black Sticks Women have been defeated 2-0 by Netherlands in a one-off test match in the build up to this weekend's Hockey Champions Trophy in London.

In front of a vocal home crowd, the world number one Dutch scored in each half through Maartje Paumen and Kelly Jonker.

New Zealand put together some good attacking pressure but couldn't put any goals past the goalkeeper.

Head coach Mark Hager said it was a tough encounter against the world's top team on their home turf, but one that will ultimately help them get better.

"As always, playing Holland proved a tough task. Our girls showed some very good fight and determination at stages, but this needs to be more consistent for the full 60 minutes," he said.

"We were not able to make the most of some good goal scoring chances but we need to head away and improve for our first game in London this weekend."

Netherlands had the better of the first half and made the most of a well worked penalty corner deflection from Paumen in the second quarter.

The Black Sticks came out fighting in second half and were able to apply good pressure and create some excellent scoring opportunities.

Both teams pushed for goals as time wore on, with the Dutch getting a good break away and Jonker scoring from a deflection in front of the keeper.