The Great Britain men's hockey team opened their first tour of New Zealand with a 3-0 win over the New Zealand Academy at Rosedale Park yesterday.
It was a good win for the slick British side who were well-organised throughout although they had a couple of periods when reduced to 10
players.
Calum Giles, who arrived here with a big reputation as a penalty corner specialist, showed he could score from field play as well with two well-taken goals. He opened the scoring in the 18th minute when he was left unmarked and deflected home a free hit. Giles completed the scoring in the 68th minute with a superb individual effort when he spun and smacked home a classy reverse stick goal.
In between times - right on halftime - the visitors scored their second when captain Jon Wyatt pushed a penalty stroke low to goalkeeper Paul Woolford's left. The stroke was awarded against Woolford following a goalmouth melee.
Troy Hari had the best chance for the Academy but his second-half reverse stick shot was well saved by goalkeeper David Luckes.
Visitors Mark Pearn (for dissent) and Duncan Woods were both given 10 minutes in the sin bin, as was Hymie Gill following a scuffle with Woods.
The first of Great Britain's three tests against New Zealand is in Whangarei tomorrow, starting at 6 pm.
