Hockey: Aussies counter Kiwi spirit

DUNEDIN - A delicate flick into the net by leading striker Alyson Annan was enough to give Australia a 1-0 win over a spirited New Zealand side in the women's hockey test at the McMillan Centre last night.

In bitterly cold conditions, with the added distraction of scattered heavy rain, the Australians relied on the lone goal to keep the home side at bay in front of a crowd of about 2000.

Centre-forward Annan, playing the 190th test of her distinguished career, benefited from a loose shot from veteran team-mate Rechelle Hawkes in the ninth minute.

She trapped the ball in front of the net and scooped it past the flailing arms of New Zealand goalkeeper Helen Clarke.

New Zealand, ranked fifth in the world but faced with the sobering statistic of not having beaten the world and Olympic champions since 1979, were praised by coach Jan Borren after the match for their consistency and strength of defence.

That no more goals arrived was as much a credit to the defence of the Kiwis as it was a sign of the visiting side's battle with the conditions.

Australia were tested in the 20th minute when Kiwi skipper Anna Lawrence won a penalty corner. There was a mad goalmouth scramble that seemed sure to lead to an equalising goal.

It did not, and Australian goalkeeper Justine Sowry was not tested again until the second half. Left wing Moira Senior showed out, making several probing dashes down the flank, as New Zealand started to dominate the final quarter.

A break-out in the 33rd minute threatened to lead to a New Zealand goal, but Australia's back five were equal to the task.

The Oceania Cup series now moves to Sydney, where the second (Saturday) and third (Sunday) tests will be played at Olympic Stadium. - NZPA