Umpire rocks N.Z. women

Press, 26 June 1989, Page 40

Umpire rocks N.Z. women

NZPA Canberra Two controversial decisions by the New Zealand umpire, Caroline Bigham, allowed Australia a 4-2 win, and robbed New Zealand of a deserved draw in the fifth women’s hockey test yesterday. The first decision involved a penalty corner hit by the Australian fullback Chris Dobson, in the tenth minute. Dobson’s hit appeared to be raised illegally but the ball deflected off the New Zealand captain, Mary Clinton, and found the net. The New Zealand coach, Pat Barwick, said after the game that Bigham had thought the ball was travelling out before taking the deflection. The decision made it 20 to Australia after Dobson had scored from a second minute penalty corner. But the Australians could not penetrate the tight marking New Zealand defence for the rest of the half. New Zealand had a close look at the Australian goal in the nineteenth minute when Sue Duggan’s shot went inches wide. The second decision to rock New Zealand came in the third minute of the second half with Australia clinging desperately Taking her first penalty corner of the game, Clinton struck a powerful shot which the Australian goalkeeper, Maree Fish, saved by lying down — an illegal move since an international rule change four weeks ago but Ms Bigham allowed play to go on. The Australian captain, Sharon Patmore, and Fish claimed afterwards the move was legal — how- „ ever the rules of hockey now clearly prevent a goalkeeper from lying on the ground for a first shot at goal from a penalty corner. Undeterred, New Zealand pressed hard and the Auckland teacher, Leanne Birkenhead, scored in the thirty-second minute only for Australia to stretch its lead within 30s through the centre forward, Jackie Pereira. Dobson scored her third goal in the fifty-second minute to make it 4-1 but Clinton replied from a penalty corner a minute later — this time Fish stayed on her feet and was beaten by the powerful shot.