Hockey: Secret squirrel in tests against India

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The cat-and-mouse tactics began from the outset of the New Zealand men's hockey team's four-test series against India.

New Zealand won the first test 3-2 in Dunedin on Saturday, but without showing their hand in some set-play situations.

The two sides will play each other in re-drawn pool play at next month's World Cup qualifying tournament, leading Kiwi coach Kevin Towns to call for some restraint in matches here.

"We have been working on things at defensive penalty corners, but we don't want to show everything at this stage," Towns said. "I'm sure we could have kept one of their goals out on Saturday if we had."

New Zealand began strongly with Ryan Archibald opening the scoring in the fourth minute with the final touch from an inspired Phil Burrows' move.

The home side increased that lead just before halftime with Archibald's strike from one of the six penalty corners they won compared to four by the Indians.

The visitors got one back through Daljit Dhillon, who scored from a 45th-minute penalty corner, before Darren Smith, in his 97th international, set up captain Simon Towns for a 63rd-minute goal and a 3-1 lead.

The Indians scored their second from a last-minute penalty corner.

Suggestions that this is a below-strength Indians side found no favour with Kevin Towns.

"The 18 players they are taking to Edinburgh will come from the 20 they have here," he said. "We are also using this series to help us to find our squads for Scotland.

"All 15 players had game time in Dunedin and we will continue our search in the remaining three tests."

Veteran defender Brett Leaver will join the team for the third and fourth tests.

The second will be played in Ashburton today.