Hockey: Skipper to hit big 100

By Terry Maddaford

Anna Lawrence will join hockey's 100 club when she leads the New Zealand women's team into their opening match at next month's Champions Trophy tournament in Brisbane.

Robyn Matthews and Kate Trolove - two of only four other players to have played more than 100 games for the national side - will play alongside Lawrence in the match against Australia.

The 18-strong squad includes new caps Caryn Paewai and Michelle Turner, rewarded for their outstanding form in the Lion Foundation National League.

Experienced campaigners Rachel Petrie and Diana Weavers, who capped their long careers by winning their sixth successive national title with Canterbury on Sunday, have been recalled

Petrie, aged 28, has 11 caps and last played against the United States in early 1998, while 24-year-old Weavers (45 caps) returns after playing in the 1998 Commonwealth Games but missing the tour to Argentina.

The June 10 to 20 Champions Trophy tournament brings together the best six countries in the world, with New Zealand making their first appearance since 1987.

While not an Olympic qualifying tournament, it will give the Kiwis vital preparation for the Oceania qualifying series against Australia in September.

New Zealand: Sandy Bennett, Helen Clarke, Kylie Foy, Toni Mason, Mandy Smith, Lisa Walton (Auckland), Jenny Duck (vice-captain), Anne Marie Irving, Anna Lawrence (captain), Rachel Petrie, Michelle Turner, Kate Trolove, Diana Weavers (Canterbury), Skippy McGregor, Moira Senior (Manawatu), Robyn Matthews (Wanganui), Caryn Paewai, Suzie Pearce (Wellington).

Draw: June 10 v Australia; 12 v Korea; 13 v Netherlands; 15 v Germany; 17 v Argentina; 19 playoffs.