U21 hockey side fights tooth and nail for win

Kate Saunders | 12th May 2010

Co-captain Bridget Blackwood shrugged off an injury that cost her three teeth to inspire Canterbury to victory in the national under-21 women's hockey tournament in Christchurch last week.

Her blow came when they drew with Northern 2-2 early in the week, but when they met again in the final Blackwood scored a first half penalty corner strike and a second half goal to seal a 2-0 win.

Coach Matt Ling said the injury lifted the team. "Everyone pulled together after that - the key to winning was being a tight-knit team."

Blackwood said there was no way the injury would have kept her out of the rest of the tournament.

"I definitely think it was our team culture, our tightness, and our fitness levels that got us through the final."

The team was unbeaten with six wins and the draw.

Its success was capped off by the announcement of Merania Hibbard as tournament MVP, and 18-year-old midfielder Samantha Charlton was added to the Black Sticks squad to play India this month after debuting against Australia in February.