Hockey: Black Sticks survive English torment

For the first time since 2000, the New Zealand women's hockey team will play the final of an international tournament when they meet South Africa in the finale of the six-team Champions Challenge in Virginia Beach, USA, this afternoon.

But the pinnacle of the week-long tournament did not come without some anxious moments. The Black Sticks beat Japan 2-1 in their last pool match but had to await the outcome of the last round-robin clash between the Africans and England to see if they had done enough. A win to South Africa or a draw guaranteed the Suzie Muirhead-led New Zealanders their chance for glory.

But, against a second string South African side, England, needing to win by four goals to dash Kiwi hopes, raced to 3-0 with 15 minutes to play.

"They were the longest 15 minutes of my life," said Black Stick coach Ian Rutledge. "It was nail-biting stuff for sure."

Against Japan, New Zealand took the lead with a Lizzie Ryan penalty corner. Japan equalised in the last minute before halftime. The deadlock was broken just six minutes from time when Honor Dillon, Daniel Carter's long-time girlfriend, scored from open play.

Yesterday's victory was an added celebration for Wellington striker Niniwa Roberts-Lang who played her 100th game for the Black Sticks.

In the final they will face a South African team to whom they lost 1-0 in pool play after an early defensive blunder. Rutledge said: "We need to be aggressive and play our game. If we do it our way and don't pander to their defensive style like we did earlier in the week, I'm definitely confident we can win."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY