Ireland Beaten by Strong New Zealand

As the game started the Irish defence were called in to action making strong tackles inside the 25 as the Blacksticks came out of the blocks sprinting. They scored their first of 6 first half goals in the 8minute - a PC turned in by Webster. Katie Glynn chipped the crossbar on the 12 minutes. Anita Punt converted from their 2nd PC with a high drag flick. Ireland earned their first PC on 17 minutes but failed to convert. The NZ third came from open play Gemma Flynn with a fine finish. Sophie Cocks converted their 3rd PC with a neat deflection. Punt was on the score sheet again in the 26m, from open play. The pace of the Blacksticks attack was proving too strong for the Irish defence as they scored their 6th goal from their 4th PC from the stick of Krystal Forgesson. Megan Frazer converted PC No. 2 for Ireland with a straight strike on 32 minutes to leave the half time score 6-1.

Ireland were first to score in the second half with Cliodhna Sargent PC strike, on her 149th cap, finding the back board in the 40m. NZ struck again in the 43m when Olivia Merry scored from a PC and 12m later she got her second from open play. The final goal of the came a minute later when Gemma Flynn finished in the 56m. Ireland had a great chance in the 68m as Nicola Evans found Watkins in the circle but her touch was just wide. The Green Army worked hard but were outclassed by World Number 4 New Zealand who were clinical with their finish.

Irish Coach Smith said after the game 'Credit to NZ they are a top quality opposition who scored some really nice goals and had some excellent passages of play. As a group we are disappointed as we gave NZ too much space and thought, as a defence, we have had better performances in the past. Canada will be a tough opponent tomorrow but we look forward to the challenge"