Hockey: Jenness double snatches bronze honour for New Zealand

Photo / Sarah Ivey

The New Zealand men's hockey team finished third at a four-nations tournament at Nottingham yesterday after beating Japan 4-2 in a come-from-behind effort.

New Zealand, who had lost 3-4 to Japan in round-robin play, trailed by two Tomonori Ono goals after the first half. The Black Sticks got the upper hand in the second half as a tiring Japan abandoned their running game and attempted to defend their lead.

Stephen Jenness deflected in a penalty corner at the right post early in the second half and Steve Edwards ran through the circle from the right to push the ball into goal for the equaliser.

An Andy Hayward bullet flick from a penalty corner flew into the roof of goal with 10 minutes to play to give New Zealand the lead before Jenness popped in a field goal at the left post after a goalmouth scramble two minutes later. Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod was pleased with his team's performance.

"The second half fell quite nicely for us and after we got two goals and were on level pegging with Japan, there was a high motivation for the guys to go for the win," McLeod said.

Germany won the gold medal, beating Britain 3-2 in the final with an extra time golden goal.

The Black Sticks travel to Belgium next, and then France, as part of their build-up to the Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach, Germany from July 31 to August 8.

- NZPA