Hockey: NZ and Britain draw 4th test

6.00pm

New Zealand take an unassailable lead into tomorrow's fifth and final men's hockey test after battling to a 2-2 draw with Great Britain at Mount Maunganui today.

Despite failing to reproduce the slick passing game that carried them to a 4-2 win in Thursday's third test, New Zealand, ranked No 11 in the world, can feel satisfied with the draw against the eighth-ranked British.

New Zealand lead the best-of-five series 2-1 heading into tomorrow's fifth test in Hamilton.

Great Britain exerted far more pressure across the field today, closing New Zealand's attack with tight man-to-man defence, a tactic that created some friction between the two teams.

Midfielder Ryan Archibald, New Zealand's player of the day, said the Britons had come out far more determined than on Thursday.

"They were slick today, changing quite a few of their combinations, and we found it hard to get in behind their defence," he said.

"We set out with things to achieve today but didn't totally get there. Our performance wasn't up to standard, we were too up and down."

Like they had on Thursday, Great Britain netted first through a slick length-of-the field counter-attack, with England's Barry Middleton reverse-sticking into the goal in the 14th minute.

New Zealand forced three first-half penalty corners and used the game to try different combinations.

It wasn't until they turned to world-class drag-flicker Hayden Shaw on the third attempt that they found success.

Awarded a dubious penalty by New Zealand referee Nigel Iggo, Shaw's shot after the halftime hooter was deflected into the back of the net by replacement Gareth Brooks.

Great Britain regained the lead four minutes after the break when Martin Jones found himself on the end of another 70m breakout, reverse sticking the ball past stranded New Zealand 'keeper Paul Woolford from wide out.

Archibald tied it up midway through the second half, netting after forward David Kosoof took the ball ahead.

Both teams had chances to break the deadlock as the game opened up in the final 20 minutes, with New Zealand failing to capitalise on two counter-attacks after Britain's Niall Stott was sinbinned in the dying minutes.

New Zealand 2 (Gareth Brooks, Ryan Archibald) Great Britain 2 (Barry Middleton, Martin Jones). Halftime: 1-1.


- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES