HOCKEY is on the rise in the Oceania region judging by the performances of developing nations like Vanuatu.
New Zealand Maori won yesterday's FIH World League/Oceania Pacific match against Vanuatu 11-2 but the island side did enough to show that they're slowly but surely learning the game.
It looked like the Kiwis would rake up a record score after going 5-0 up inside 15 minutes.
Jury Herewini, Sam Hewett and Leo Mitai-Wells scored two goals each as they extended the lead to 6-0 by the 23rd minute.
Vanuatu kept plugging away and finally found a way through to score. Jerry Kalnagisu scored Vanuatu's fourth goal of the tournament to make it 1-6.
"The goal boosted the morale of the team tremendously," tournament media officer, Sekaia Niumataiwalu said.
Herewini notched a hat-trick and New Zealand Maori led 7-1 at half-time. Vanuatu got another goal back through Nasse Abel but four further goals by the seasoned Maori side ensured a one-sided victory.
Vanuatu coach Peter Robinson said: "We had heaps of shots to score it's just that we couldn't finish whereas New Zealand they finished".