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Hugo Inglis (right) challenged by Steve Edwards - Source: Photosport -
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Eighteen-year-old Nick Wilson had a golden day in front of goal at the men's World Cup qualifier in Invercargill on Sunday, touching home four times against Scotland, a feat not often achieved in international hockey.
The New Zealand men's hockey team has made it two from two by thrashing Scotland 8-0 less than 24 hours after accounting for Wales 6-2 in their tournament opener.
Striker Wilson was not only prolific, but the quality of the goals also impressed Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod.
McLeod was full of praise for the youngster, who only left Palmerston North Boys High School last year and is fast developing goal scoring skills in the ilk of 20-year-old Simon Child.
New cap Hugo Inglis (17), was first on the scoreboard for New Zealand, putting away a rebound in the 16th minute.
Priyesh Bhana put a nice bunt forward for Child to run on to and push home, 10 minutes later.
A fine run down the left by Wilson set up captain Phil Burrows to score from close range for the third goal a minute before half time.
In the second half Burrows reopened the scoring action in the 46th minute, finding space from nowhere for his cracking shot.
Wilson's first goal followed, a simple tap home in the 48th minute. He struck again two minutes later picking up the rebound from an Andy Hayward drag flick attempt, fired high from the right for his third and finished with another rebound pickup from the field in the 60th minute.
McLeod said after the match he was delighted with the form of his young talent up front, but also paid tribute to the established, experienced players in the squad, including Ryan Archibald and Blair Hopping.
"It was a combination of the experience and the young players that won the game today. It is hard not to be happy with an 8-0 win," he said.
Wilson says they say hockey is all about the drag flick, but with seven field goals they didn't even need a drag-flicker.
The Black Sticks were again without veteran defender - and drag-flick specialist - Hayden Shaw, as he has still not recovered from his recent bout of pneumonia.
There is a possibility Shaw will feature in Tuesday's match against Malaysia.
