Narrow hockey victory

Press, 26 April 1984, Page 40

Narrow hockey victory

NZPA Melbourne The New Zealand Olympic hockey team finished its Australian tour on a winning note with a 4-3 win over Victoria in the Easter tournament at Melbourne yesterday. Victoria opened the scoring 15 minutes into the first half when the centre-for-ward, Tony Gillon, picked up a rebound. However, it only took five minutes for New Zealand to equalise when the left-wing, Grant McLeod, scored an excellent goal and two minutes later went to the lead when George Carnout-

sos found the net. New Zealand went further ahead five minutes into the second half from a second goal by McLeod and a deflection goal by the centre-forward, Peter Daji. Victoria fought back and with 15 minutes left, the centre-half, Craig Fairbrother, first-timed the ball into the net from the top of the circle. Two minutes later, the deficit was reduced to one goal when the left-wing, Steve Batch, had a shot deflected into the net.

On Tuesday, New Zealand forced a 2-2 draw with South Australia. Eric McLeod and the right wing, Peter Daji, scored New Zealand’s goals while Rodger and Trevor Smith put South Australia’s points on the board. The New Zealand Olympic team has used this tournament, which started last Saturday, as a build-up to the Los Angeles Olympics. Teams from Victoria, the A.C.T., New South Wales and South Australia, used it as preparation for the Australian championships in Canberra from May 9 to May 20.