Hockey: NZ women draw with England

Black Stick Gemma Flynn. File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

New Zealand striker Gemma Flynn celebrated her 50th international appearance by scoring in a 2-2 draw with England in the Champions Trophy women's hockey tournament at Nottingham this morning.

The result secured New Zealand their first Champions Trophy point since 2006, and ended a tournament record-equaling run of eight straight defeats.

It also kept alive New Zealand's record of not losing to England in Champions Trophy tournaments, having won twice and drawn once in three meetings.

New Zealand were to play China in tonight (8.30pm) in a playoff for fifth and sixth placing in the six-team elite tournament.

The result also thwarted English hopes of making the final.

England went into the final round robin match needing to beat New Zealand to make their first Champions Trophy final.

England then had to rely on Argentina losing or drawing with China to advance to the final after the draw, but those hopes were also dashed when Argentina defeated China 4-3 through a penalty corner conversion in the last minute.

Argentina's win equalled England's 10 points but they secured a finals berth with a better goal difference than England.

New Zealand striker Piki Hamahona tore apart England's defence early in the first half, collecting a pass from Katie Glynn on the right and ran 45 metres into the circle to score past England goalkeeper Beth Storry.

Glynn helped Flynn put New Zealand ahead 2-0 half way through the first half, the striker nailing the rebound after Storry padded back her first shot.

Nicola White's field goal and Crista Cullen's penalty corner conversion for England locked the score at 2-2 at the break.

Both teams played for the win in the second half in an arm-wrestle of changing fortunes, without scoring.

England earned a penalty corner in the last minute but New Zealand goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit cleared Cullen's high flick with seconds on the clock.

New Zealand coach Mark Hager was not enthused by New Zealand's performance.

"We were patchy although obviously the two goals in the first half were pleasing," he said.

"But apart from that, in the second half, I don't think we created too many opportunities so we need to learn to play for 70 minutes rather than for 15 minutes."

Tonight's playoffs also see Netherlands and Argentina play for gold after Germany and England play for bronze.

- NZPA