KEY POINTS:
A 31st minute goal from Renee Trost today was enough to give Australia an upper hand over New Zealand in the women's four-test hockey series.
The goal gave the Hockeyroos a 1-0 win and a 2-1 lead in the series after New Zealand won the first test 1-0 and Australia the second 3-0. The final match will be played again in Christchurch tomorrow.
The third ranked Australians dominated possession in the first half, allowing the eight ranked Black Sticks only one promising excursion into the circle and that did not come until the dying stages of the half.
The Hockeyroos forced three penalty corners in the first half and put enormous pressure on the New Zealand midfield, forcing the Black Sticks into errors and mistraps as they struggled to move the ball out of defence.
Australia's goal came in the 31st minute when Trost moved into free space on the right side of the goal to guide home a beautiful pass from the left midfield.
The Black Sticks began the second half with more intensity and enjoyed a much higher proportion of possession as a result.
A torrid midfield battle led to the experienced Hockeyroo Melanie Twitt sent off mid-way through the half, as the Black Sticks upped the tempo.
Emily Naylor played well in the centre midfield as did defender Kate Mahon, who was named player of the day. Beth Jurgeleit also made some good saves in goal.
A final flurry in the last five minutes had the crowd on their feet, unfortunately the New Zealand attackers could not quite find the back of the net.
"We have to tighten up on our defence a bit more and we have to find our strikers -- we have to get the ball up to them," Jurgeleit said.
"We expected the Australians to be tough but I think we have closed the gap on them. I think they are beatable."
Result: Australia 1 (Renee Trost 31st). NZ 0. Halftime: 1-0.
- NZPA
