The Vantage Black Sticks Ladies got here up trumps at The Nationwide Hockey Centre on Sunday evening in opposition to Japan with a 2-1 win, securing the profitable objective late on within the piece.
The sport started with a tussle backwards and forwards which continued from the primary quarter properly into the second because the groups tried to interrupt the stalemate. Nevertheless the groups remained nil all on the finish of the second quarter into half time.
Momentum began to construct within the third quarter because the Black Sticks had been awarded three penalty corners, the third of which was dispatched by Fran Davies, giving the Kiwis the lead.
The fourth quarter started with some robust defence from the Vantage Black Sticks as they fought to maintain their 1-0 lead over Japan.
Nevertheless, a repeat of yesterday was on the playing cards when Japan started to place up a struggle and the visiting group managed to even the taking part in discipline with their first objective at 4 minutes left within the last quarter.
Nearly instantly the Black Sticks struck again with Rose Tynan scoring a strong reverse shot simply thirty seconds later to regain the lead.
Aggression constructed between the 2 groups for the remaining minutes left of the sport as Japan started their counterattack.
An in depth name at two minutes left had the Black Sticks working arduous to carry the Japanese off however New Zealand managed to clutch the win, sustaining the ultimate rating of 2-1.
The Black Sticks Ladies now start preparation for the FIH Nations Cup in Spain starting June 3.