Author: knighttimes

So it looks like we are taking the long road to qualify for the world cup….
We started the match with one of the strongest NZ line ups seen so far this year. I am glad I had a good warm up as right from the first whistle the Aussies had us under the pump. Against the run of play Nick Wilson opened the scoring for NZ. Unfortunately the lead was short lived with the aussies forcing a pc a couple of minutes later and after smothering the initial flick Grant Shubert latched on to the rebound placing it high in the goal from close range.

The game continued to be a close contest as we defended our arses off. On the stroke of half time we conceded another pc. This time the initial flick was heading low to my glove side, as I moved to save the shot a Aussie striker dived in for a deflection. Close to unstoppable from that range so we went in to the break 2-1 down.

Photo credit; Andrew Cornaga/PHOTOSPORT

Again the second half was a hard fought affair, we were awarded a pc with 2 minutes left on the clock but it was not to be with Hayden Shaw missing the goal. On full time the Aussies were awarded another pc, with 10 attacking players in the circle they were li jng up to punish the rebound from the first up flick. So it was 3-1 in the end. I can report the 3rd half was enjoyable both the nz and aussies sharing a few drinks.

Now we return to Invercargill in November for the next qualifier but next up is the NZ national league. I will be looking to lift the sheild for a 5th time with the Wellington team.

Over And Out,

Kyle

Finally in to the 5th and final test of our series against Malaysia. We now find ourselves in Taupo where the great weather has finally turned to rain. The locals really got behind the team and the test match organising a great dinner with some kids from the region and then having a great turnout for the match.

We started the match well and opened the scoring then followed it up with a second before half time. Going in to the break I guess you could say we were happy with how the game was going – of course the second half was a totally different encounter. The Malaysians stepped up their game and we made a few errors to help their cause. They managed to score from a break away and threatened many times. Thankfully we managed to grind out the win. 2-1 final score.

The 5 game test series ended;

Blacksticks holding 3 wins and 2 draws.

Now we focus on the Oceania Cup against Samoa oh and the Aussies 😉

Over and out

Kyle Pontifex

So on to game 3 against Malaysia: After a disappointing 2nd test ending in a 1-1 draw we moved on from the lovely Palmerston North (the home of OBO) to Napier.

The blacksticks played well as a team and dominated the match, we were rewarded with a nice goal to Simon Child. One of the Malaysian’s strengths is their ability to conter attack at speed and true to form they had a few chances close to half time.

Keeping my defence in good position and having the confidence to wait for the ball to arrive we kept the Malaysian’s scoreless going on to the break. The second half brought some more challanges as we had a number of PC’s to defend, the most difficult of these was a flick that took a deflection off the first runner. Using the large blocking surface of the RHP I managed to smother the deflection. Hayden Shaw flicked one in at the other end and then the local boy Shea McAleese got on the end of a backhand cross from Nick Haig to deflect our third goal of the match.Final Score 3-0.

Our next match is tomorrow and the we finish up the series on Sunday in Taupo. Get along if you are in the area!!

Over and out Kyle Pontifex