Second hockey defeat for N.Z. women

Press, 2 March 1984, Page 30

Second hockey defeat for N.Z. women

From JANE DAVIDSON, in Melbourne New Zealand was beaten, 2-1, by Australia in its second match of the fournations women’s hockey tournament in Melbourne yesterday, but can take heart from a much improved showing from that against the United States on • Wednesday. The style yesterday was . in direct contrast to the first match, the two teams complementing each other and the game flowed much more easily. Against Australia, New Zealand’s forwards were allowed more room, the wings, Shirley Haig and Cathy Thompson, taking a much fuller part in the match.

New Zealand, although initially slow to attack, played with more confidence and put together a series of passes in mid-field, something it could not manage against the United States because of its tighter marking. Thompson, Haig and the captain, Jenny McDonald, drove into the Australian circle with 15min of the first half remaining, but the final shot flew high over the goal. That was the first of several strong attacks which did not bring any reward. Soon after, Harina Kohere drove towards the Australian goal and only a desperate lunge from an Australian defender prevented a goal. However, to the delight of the home crowd, the Australian centre-half, Robyn Legatt, scored first. It was largely the result of a mistake by the New Zealand defence, which overran the ball, and Lesley Murdoch, in

goal, who made one of her rare errors and moved from the edge of the goal-mouth.

A counter-attack was launched almost immediately. The equaliser from McDonald was an opportunist goal for the Australian goal-keeper was caught out of her ground, and with another defender sprawled on the ground, the New Zealander’s shot found its mark.

It was only in the final quarter that the New Zealand team lost its assuredness. It wasted one of its few penalty corners (Australia dominated that set piece, 10-2) and failed to counter a late rally by the home team, which switched play upfield. Sharon Buchanan converted a penalty corner, for Australia and New Zealand could not score again. Earlier, Murdoch had saved a penalty stroke, which went about shoulder-height to her right. The New Zealand coach, Wayne Boyd, was pleased with his team’s effort. He said after the match that it could be proud of the way it countered the team which has been seeded second for the Olympic Games. New Zealand is out of the running for a place in the final on Sunday — the United States is the only team certain of a place — the other position being between Canada and Australia, which have equal points so far. Today is a rest day and tomorrow New Zealand meets Canada. In other matches at the tournament, Australia and Canada drew 2-2, and Canada and the United States drew, 1-1.