Hockey: Crowning glory as Kiwi women win tournament

MILTON KEYNES - The champion New Zealand women's hockey team left England yesterday as firm medal contenders at the Sydney Olympics.

Having earlier booked their place at the Olympics, the side won the qualifying tournament in Milton Keynes, beating world No 3 Germany once and Britain twice in the process.

Yesterday they notched one of the most impressive international tournament victories in the history of New Zealand hockey by beating Britain 1-0 in the final. Suzie Pearce scored the goal when she deflected Anna Lawrence's 29th-minute penalty corner hit.

The result drew comparisons in England to the New Zealand cricketers, who beat England in the test series last year.

After recovering from the shock loss to lowly Japan on the first day the New Zealanders had too much speed, skill and organisation for the other teams. Right-winger Mandy Smith should have been named player of the tournament after tormenting defences and knocking in five goals, but the honour instead went to veteran British forward Jane Sixsmith, who scored two goals but failed to break the New Zealand defence in two games.

New Zealand, ranked fifth in the world, showed in this tournament that they have two of the most dangerous wingers in the game in Smith and the speedy Kylie Foy. They have a solid back three in Helen Clarke, Sandy Bennett and Rachel Petrie, a classy inside duo of skipper Lawrence and Pearce, and a penetrating midfielder in Tina Bell-Kake.

Captain Lawrence said it was exciting to come out as winners.

"It's been a roller-coaster ride but it's fantastic to finish on top. I have nothing but praise for this side," she said.

"I have been playing for New Zealand for 10 years and this has been one the most memorable days in my career. We're really looking forward to going to Sydney now."

Pearce said scoring the winning goal was one of the highlights of her career. "It was great to get the goal, but this has been a wonderful team effort and I just happened to finish it off."

Both sides had already qualified for the Olympics but there was still plenty to play for. The New Zealand players had not forgotten the pain of losing to a rugged Britain (in England colours) side in the Commonwealth Games.

The pace of the Kiwis in the final made Britain looked pedestrian, with Foy, Smith, Lawrence and replacement winger Moira Senior forcing six penalty corners in the first half.

Britain made 27 assaults on the New Zealand circle in the match, but failed every time to break the resolute Kiwi defence.

New Zealand will join Australia, Holland, Germany, Argentina, Britain, South Africa, Korea, Spain and China at the Olympics.

They will compete in the Champions Trophy in Amstelveen, Holland, next month, which will be a perfect warm-up for Sydney.

- NZPA